Photo of the month: Fontevraud Abbey

L’Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud is a collection of religious buildings located near Chinon in Anjou.

At the time of its construction in 1101 by an itinerant preacher, Robert d’Arbrissel, it was a modest abbey situated in a remote location in the Loire Valley.

However, this all changed when it gained the support of the Bishop of Poitiers and the counts of Anjou and some 36 abbesses joined the abbey between 1115 and 1792.

The abbey owner housed monks and nuns in its many buildings until it was closed and declared national property in 1792 following the Revolution. Napoleon later used it as a prison.

The Plantagenet king, Henry II, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine and their son Richard the Lionheart are buried in the Abbaye Royale.

Visitors can enjoy some local hospitality with a stay in one of the 54 rooms at the four-star Fontevraud L’Hôtel.

October Events

October 1: Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe de Paris. The last day of this major equestrian event, which is organised by France Galop and the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club. It sees
leading jockeys and their thoroughbred horses compete over several races.

October 7: Nuit Blanche in Paris. A free nocturnal art trail around the city centre featuring music, artistic and theatrical events.

Mid-October: Festival Lumière, Lyon. In honour of brothers Auguste Marie Louis Nicolas and Louis Jean Lumière, the pioneers of cinema, this offers screenings of old and new films.

October 28-29: Pepper Festival in Espelette, Pyrénées-Atlantiques. All manner of spicy tastings and demonstrations.

October 27-29: Quai des Bulles Festival in Saint-Malo, Brittany. Around 400 comic strip artists demonstrate their talent and share ideas.