Churches

Abbaye Saint-Serge

Angers

Abbaye Saint-Serge is a Benedictine abbey located in Angers, France. The monastery was first mentioned in 705, and it is recorded as having existed by at least the mid-7th century. Around 900, Bishop Rainon installed a college of canons during the transfer of the monastery to the diocese. Monks were reinstalled at the end of the 10th century, and the rebuilt monastery was reconsecrated in 1059. Around the year 1000, it passed to the Benedictines.

The monastery was placed under the patronage of Serge and Bacchus as abbatia sancti Sergii et Bacchi Andegavensis. Its history also includes the transfer of Saint Brieuc’s body in 1166, attended by several prominent religious and political figures. The church of Saint-Serge was listed as a historic monument in 1840, with additional parts of the complex listed in 1907, 1908, and 1967. Today, the abbey buildings and seminary are used by Lycée Joachim-du-Bellay, while the church continues to host the parish community of the neighborhood.

Map showing the location of Abbaye Saint-Serge in Angers
Location of Abbaye Saint-Serge in Angers

Nearby Objects

Early History of Abbaye Saint-Serge

Abbaye Saint-Serge is a monastery located in the city of Angers, France. It was first mentioned in the year 705, making it an established religious site by the early medieval period. Around the year 1000, the monastery was taken over by Benedictines. These early references place the abbey within the long religious history of Angers and show a significant change in its monastic administration at the turn of the first millennium.

History and Heritage of Saint-Serge

Saint-Serge monastery is documented as having been founded by at least the mid-7th century, according to a diploma of Childebert IV dated 705. Around 900, Bishop Rainon installed a college of canons when the monastery was transferred to the diocese. Monks were later reinstalled at the end of the 10th century, and the rebuilt monastery was reconsecrated in 1059. The institution was placed under the patronage of Serge and Bacchus under the name abbatia sancti Sergii et Bacchi Andegavensis. Its distant location from the City and the rarity of a dedication to Saint Serge in the West have been noted as unresolved questions.

The abbey also appears in a notable 1166 event, when Geoffroi, Bishop of Saint-Brieuc, Henry II, King of England, Conan IV, Duke of Brittany, and several abbots attended the transfer of Saint Brieuc's body to Saint-Serge-les-Angers abbey. In the modern period, the church of Saint-Serge was listed as a historic monument in 1840. The chapter house and chapel were listed in 1907, the refectory in 1908, and the central building and part of the cloister in 1967. Today, the abbey buildings and seminary are used by Lycee Joachim-du-Bellay, while the church continues to host the parish community of the neighborhood.