Attractions and Places To See around Viglain - Top 20

Nestled in a meander of the Loire, the town of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire is home to one of the most beautiful jewels of Romanesque architecture: an 11th and 12th century basilica including the porch tower, decorated with twelve historic capitals. , the monumental portal and the nave constitute the most remarkable elements. Founded around 650 on the grounds of an ancient Gallo-Roman villa, Fleury Abbey has housed the relics of Saint Benedict, founder of Western monasticism and patron saint of Europe, since 672. During the 8th century, the patronage of the Prince of the Apostles was abandoned for that of Saint Benedict. This event is at the origin of the rapid expansion, prosperity and influence of the abbey which became Saint-Benoît de Fleury, while the village later became that of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire. In the 9th century, after the ordeal of the Norman invasions which pillaged and destroyed the monastery, Fleury Abbey flourished again. The 10th and 11th centuries were the great era of Fleury's spiritual, intellectual and artistic influence. The construction of Fleury was probably completed in 1218. A few centuries later, the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion ruined the monastery and disrupted regular life, the community's numbers collapsed. The French Revolution will end up dispersing the community of Fleury Abbey. But in 1944, a community of around forty monks resettled in the area and undertook the reconstruction of the monastery. A community of thirty-three monks lives there today under the direction of Father Abbot Etienne Ricaud. In 1947, the fourteenth centenary of the death of Saint Benedict led the abbey to be elevated to the status of a basilica. The visitor is invited to admire the fabulous historic capitals present in the porch tower, the nave and the choir; the magnificent paving which extends around the altar as well as the crypt where the relics of the patron saint rest. Not to be missed is the north portal and its monumental lintel carved in high relief.

We already find traces of a monastery in Fleury in the year 620. In 660, relics of Saint-Benoît were brought there and the abbey became Saint-Benoît de Fleury. Around the year 1000, the abbey experienced a golden age and the construction of the current basilica was launched. It will be consecrated in 1218. From the 16th to the 18th century, wars and the Revolution damaged the monastery. However, a community of 24 monks still lives there today.

This railway viaduct was built between 1877 and 1880. Since 2011, no rail traffic has used the bridge. Transformation work began in 2019 and, since May 2020, the bridge has been dedicated to bicycles and pedestrians. Thanks to the work, everyone can cross the Loire between Saint-Père-sur-Loire and Sully-sur-Loire in complete safety. Take your time to appreciate the magnificent views of the Château de Sully and the Loire!

Fleury Abbey, whose foundation dates back to the seventh century, still hosts 25 monks today. Its basilica (Saint-Benoît) can be visited outside the services. The monastery also welcomes pilgrims in search of silence, seeking to return to the presence of God.

The fortified castle of Sully-sur-Loire is located on the banks of the Loire, along the Eurovélo 6 cycle path. The construction of the current castle began in 1396 but traces of castles at this location date back to 1102. Nowadays, the castle, its moats and its park are perfectly maintained and it is possible to visit the castle alone or on a guided tour.

A Hôtel Hostellerie du Grande Sully in Sully-sur-Loire B Gien train station and from there the train leaves for Paris Unfortunately we have to say goodbye today; Farewell to wonderful days in France. Today it should be the last small stage; a farewell is imminent ; there is a little melancholy; it was a great tour ; it was a cycled dream. Another means of transportation brings us home. Nice, friendly and helpful people here and there, and last but not least, good and well-signposted cycle paths along the Loire and its side valleys and tributaries. We give it 5 stars; we definitely recommend this tour. Thank you dear French people for your warm hospitality. Merci beaucoup pour your chaleureuse hospitalité. Goodbye - Au revoir

The monastery is located in the village of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire near Sully-sur-Loire on the Loire in France. It was particularly famous in the Middle Ages for its monastic school founded by Saint Odo. Odo was abbot of Fleury Monastery from 930 to 942 and made it one of the most important centers of the Cluniac movement. In 1798 the monastery school was closed again (Wikipedia).

The Abbey of Saint-Benoît was built in the 11th century and still houses a community of monks. The Saint-Benoît basilica can be visited outside of services.