The Abbey of Saint Nicholas of Angers was founded at the beginning of the eleventh century by the Count of Anjou Foulques Nerra. A first church dedicated to St. Nicholas was first erected, then the monastery buildings (monasteries) were built and from the end of the eleventh century, a new larger church replaced the first, dedicated by Pope Urban II in 1096.
The bases of the latter are still visible at the rue Ambroise-Paré.
The whole site is sold at the Revolution and houses first a barracks, then a hospital. Currently, the former abbey palace is occupied by a retirement home. Buildings were added in the 19th and 20th centuries, part of which is allocated to a French-speaking student center and other premises of the former abbey are home to the Mother House of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of Goodwill. Pastor.
Several elements of the old abbey are protected as historical monuments such as the great south facade of the abbey (eighteenth), the chapel (later a refectory), the vestiges of the cloister and the vaulted room, the tower of the bells, the former convent store and the abbey dwelling.
Note that the site is also known to include the last hectare of vines grown in the city of Angers intramural.
Visits to the old abbey are occasionally organized, especially during the Heritage Days. Information on +33 2 41 23 50 00.
