Admire the splendor of the Abbey Church of Saint-Pierre de Beaulieu sur Dordogne. Founded in the 9th century, it reached its height of fame in the 12th century, when it was attached to the Order of Cluny. Its southern portal is a splendid example of Romanesque art.
A major pilgrimage site
Legend has it that the Abbey of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne was founded by Rodolphe de Turenne, Archbishop of Bourges. Visiting his territories, he was fascinated by the landscape and decided to found a Benedictine abbey there. Twelve monks from the Abbey of Solignac settled on the banks of the river around 860.
Nef de l'abbatiale de Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne (1160)Fondation du patrimoine
The monks began building the first abbey, which quickly became prosperous. In 1095, the religious community decided to build a much larger church.
This abbey church is the largest in Corrèze and can still be admired today.
It is modeled on the great pilgrimage churches of the region, such as Saint-Cernin in Toulouse and Sainte-Foy in Conques, and it is 233 feet (71 m) long with a transept of 125 feet (38 m). It is 75 feet (23 m) high at the transept crossing.
Trésor de l'abbatiale de Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne (XIIth century)Fondation du patrimoine
Its vast dimensions mean that the many pilgrims who come to the abbey to pray before the relics can easily be accommodated.
The most prominent and prestigious of the relics is this wooden Madonna and Child, plated with silver leaf and gilded with ground gold. It has been drawing the crowds for centuries.
This 12th-century relic is decorated with 48 precious stones, or intaglios. Some of these stones have disappeared over the centuries, most notably when the relic was on loan for the Universal Exhibition of 1900.
However, the Virgin still retains a 2nd-century cameo on her torso, depicting the Empress Poppea.
An architectural treasure
Beyond the treasure trove of relics, it is the architectural whole of this abbey that makes it a monument of major interest. Completed in 1140, the Abbey Church of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne is a manifesto of Romanesque architecture. Its restoration was supported by the Fondation du Patrimoine (Cultural Heritage Foundation).
Portail et clocher de l'abbatiale de Beaulieu-sur-DordogneFondation du patrimoine
The south façade, with its famous tympanum, is the most emblematic of the church. It depicts the scene of the Parousia (second coming of Christ on earth) and not the Last Judgment, as is often claimed.
Portail de l'abbatiale de Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne (Second quarter of the XIIIth)Fondation du patrimoine
This multitude of sculptures were an uplifting stone catechism for the pilgrims.
The tympanum is the most impressive and it is divided into three levels, called registers.
On the lower register, there are exotic animals symbolizing the deadly sins of anger, pride, and envy.
On the middle register, there is a depiction of the hell into which the characters on the upper register risk being thrown if they are not judged worthy of paradise by Christ in Majesty.
Détail du tympan de l'abbatiale de Beaulieu-sur-DordogneFondation du patrimoine
These depictions of great finesse must have impressed the pilgrims who entered the building.
The desire to represent the universality of the people who were affected by these prophecies is apparent in the detail of the shoes and headdresses of the characters.
Détail sculpté de la porte de l'abbatiale de Beaulieu-sur-DordogneFondation du patrimoine
There are also scenes from the Old and New Testaments in the porch.
Here you can see Daniel in the lion's den and the prophet Habakkuk coming to Daniel, symbolizing the reward for his faithfulness to God.
A rich history
Since its foundation in the 9th century up until the present day, the Saint-Pierre de Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne Abbey has had an eventful history. From the beginning of the 11th century, the prosperity of the Abbey aroused greed in the neighboring lords, most notably the Castelnau family. Hugues de Castelnau succeeded in having himself elected as the lay abbot and he robbed the abbey of part of its property. Over half a century went by before the abbey was returned to the monks and placed under the authority of Cluny. This affiliation is the reason for the impressiveness of its architecture.
Plan de l'Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne (1663)Fondation du patrimoine
Like many abbeys, Saint-Pierre de Beaulieu experienced the horrors of the Hundred Years War and the Wars of Religion. Having been plundered several times, the monks fled in 1574.
The Maurist (French Benedictine) community took the place over in 1663 and restored it to its former glory, which is still visible on this plan.
This renaissance lasted until the Revolution, when the abbey was definitively abandoned.
The abbey church became a parish church and was classified as a historical monument in 1862.
Sculptures lapidaires de l'abbatiale de Beaulieu-sur-DordogneFondation du patrimoine
Ancient sculptures of the abbey, now displayed in the church, testify to its long history and the way in which it evolved over the centuries.
Histoire de l'abbatiale Saint-Pierre de Beaulieu-sur-DordogneFondation du patrimoine
Watch this video to find out more about the history of the Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne Abbey.
Many thanks to Michel Sapin, President of the Friends of the Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne Abbey Church Association for his valuable help.
To support the work of the Fondation du Patrimoine (Cultural Heritage Foundation), please click on this link: https://www.fondation-patrimoine.org/les-dons-et-soutiens
