Abbatiale Saint-Pierre de Méobecq

Méobecq

On the edge of the Brenne, the abbey church of Saint-Pierre keeps the memory of one of the oldest monastic foundations of the Berry: in 632, Saint Cyran received the lands of Méobecq from King Dagobert and founded an abbey there, the first Merovingian monastery in the place. The present church retains a superb Romanesque apse and very fine Corinthian capitals, but its treasure lies elsewhere: a set of frescoes from the late 11th century. The best-preserved painted decoration unfolds between the windows of the apse, where Saint Cyran, Saint Benedict, Saint Peter, Saint Martial and Saint Loyau are depicted; one can also make out the vision of Saint John with the horsemen of the Apocalypse, as well as the remains of other scenes. A founding document, the dedication, was drawn up and signed for the abbey. Pillaged and burnt during the Wars of Religion in the 16th century, the abbey was partly rebuilt in the 17th century; the church, reduced to more modest dimensions than the medieval abbey church, was listed as a monument historique as early as 1840. The visit, free all year round, offers a close look at one of the rare Romanesque painted decorations surviving in the Indre.

Getting there : 15 route de Buzançais, 36500 Méobecq; church open every day from 8 am to 6 pm all year round, free admission, guided tours on request.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound