Abbaye Royale de l'Épau

Yvré-l'Évêque

After a century and a half of wandering, the effigy of Richard the Lionheart's widowed queen has at last returned to its place in the Cistercian silence.

Founded in 1229–1230 by Queen Berengaria of Navarre, widow of Richard the Lionheart, this Cistercian abbey preserves a cloister and monastic buildings of remarkable Gothic unity, embellished between 1260 and 1320. The recumbent effigy of the queen, who was buried in the abbey church, was rediscovered in 1816 by the English antiquary Charles Alfred Stothard, then moved to Le Mans Cathedral in 1821. It only returned to its place in the abbey in 1974.

Getting there : Listed as a monument historique (historic monument) in 1925, with further protections in 1961, 1973 and 2005

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

Ambient sound