La Prée Abbey (Abbaye de La Prée)

La Prée Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery in the commune of Ségry, in the Indre department, in the Berry region of central France. It is considered the oldest Cistercian abbey in Berry: monks settled here in 1128, and the abbey church was consecrated in 1141 by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux himself.

When and how was the abbey founded?

La Prée belonged to the earliest wave of Cistercian foundations tied to Saint Bernard's reform movement. The community's arrival in 1128, followed by the personal consecration of its church by Saint Bernard thirteen years later, points to the standing this house held from the very start of its existence.

How did the abbey grow over the centuries?

Substantial donations during the 12th and 13th centuries allowed the community to build up an extensive rural estate and to play a real part in developing the surrounding countryside. In the 13th century the monastery gained the status of a royal abbey, which raised its standing and its ties to the crown. Fortifications were added in later centuries, and in the 15th century the abbey came under the commendam system, meaning its abbot was appointed rather than elected by the monks. During the Wars of Religion, the community found itself drawn into the conflicts affecting the region.

What happened after the French Revolution?

Monastic life continued at La Prée right up to the French Revolution. In 1791 the abbey's property was confiscated and sold as national property, bringing centuries of religious use to an end. The buildings then passed into private hands and were repurposed for agricultural and other uses.

What survives of the medieval buildings?

The east range preserves the most from the original construction: its 12th-century ground floor still contains the sacristy, chapter house, monks' room, stairways and vaulted passages. The south wing, which once held the refectory and kitchens, was heavily rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries and gained a neo-Gothic gallery in the 19th century. Visitors can still see the western side of the cloister, the chapter house, and the tomb (enfeu) of Gaucher de Passac. Overall, the complex retains the plain, harmonious character typical of Cistercian architecture.

What is the abbey used for today?

In 1954 the property was given to the association Petits Frères des Pauvres. Since 1991 the buildings have housed an artists' residency alongside a centre for social and cultural activities. The residency program, known as "Pour Que l'Esprit Vive," welcomes creators working in architecture, musical composition, photography, film, drawing, writing, printmaking, painting and sculpture. Artists can apply for a long residency of ten months, running from September to June, or a shorter stay held sometime within the September-to-August period. Since 2002 the residency has partnered with the Académie des Beaux-Arts.

Where exactly is the abbey located?

La Prée stands in the commune of Ségry, in the Indre department, at approximately 46.907 N, 2.132 E. It is a small, rural spot in Berry, well off the main tourist routes, which adds to the site's quiet, contemplative atmosphere.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors tour La Prée Abbey? Because the site functions as an active artists' residency run by an association, public access can be limited, so it is worth checking current visiting arrangements before a trip — Heritage Days events are one occasion when the site opens more widely.

Is this the same place as the German "Kloster Preetz"? No. Despite the similar-sounding name, La Prée in Ségry (Indre, France) has no connection whatsoever to the convent in Preetz, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany — they are two entirely separate institutions in different countries.

Who founded the abbey? A Cistercian community settled here in 1128, and the abbey church was consecrated in 1141 by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, one of the leading figures behind the Cistercian reform across Europe.

What does the artists' residency do today? It hosts creators from a range of artistic disciplines for working residencies, giving them time and space to develop projects within the setting of the former monastic buildings.