Clausonne Abbey is located south of the village of Saix, in the Hautes-Alpes, 35 km southwest of Gap.
It was built at the end of the 12th century on a plateau at an altitude of 1,140 m, at the foot of Mont d'Aujour, surrounded by pastures and forests which dominate the Maraize river.
Financed by the lords of this harsh but rich mountain region, presenting a plan similar to the abbey of Notre-Dame de Lure, both belonging to the order of Chalais, the abbey of Clausonne is both a monastic place and refuge for the population in the event of unrest.
Burnt down during the Wars of Religion in 1573, it was barely restored when Sardinian troops set it on fire in 1692.
Only the choir of the abbey, which was initially in the Romanesque style, was rebuilt in 1712 to serve of a place of parish worship.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the remains of the abbey were used by an agricultural operation and they collapsed even after the Second War. However, an association was created in 1994 to save what could be saved from the ruins. From now on, we can see more clearly the remains of the nave and the choir, and some elements which overlooked the cloister.
Excavation sites and activities are regularly organized.
In addition to the remains of the abbey, classified in 1995, the site can be the subject of hikes in a green environmental setting.
The Friends of Clausonne Abbey association was created in 1994 to manage and promote the site.
Email: abbeyeclausonne@gmail.com
