The Saint-Serge Abbey of Angers was founded in the 8th century. However, the monastery was rebuilt in the 11th century and then welcomed Benedictine monks.
Far from the city center, unprotected by the walls built by Saint-Louis, the abbey suffered looting and damage during the Hundred Years War and then during the Wars of Religion.
After a certain prosperity, the abbey is placed under the regime of the commende in 1553 (its abbots no longer reside on the spot and financial interest takes precedence over spiritual life). In fact, from 1629, it was reformed and taken over by the congregation of Saint-Maur.
After the Revolution, the conventual buildings which had been remodeled first hosted a seminary and then, since 1907, the Lycée Du Bellay.
As for the abbey church, it now serves the parish. It was classified in 1840. Certain elements date from the 11th century (crossing of the transept) and the 12th century (the wall of the south apse).
The overall architecture was extensively altered and taken up again in the 13th century: we can thus observe the choir and its tall columns supporting domed vaults. In addition, the sculpted decorations dating from this period are very rich and announce the Gothic. In general, the lightness of the vault is opposed to the austerity of the walls. Note that the nave, for its part, was rebuilt in the 15th century in a flamboyant style typical of the Angevin region.
The abbey church is also famous for its stained glass windows (from the 13th century for the oldest), its rich furniture (stalls), its paintings and its religious objects.
Both the church and the remains of the monastery were taken over in the 18th century by the Maurist monks. In particular, they built a new conventual building that is both sober and testifying to Tuscan influences.
The church is open to the public every day. For guided tours including other elements of the former abbey, information on +33 2 41 23 50 00.
