Abbey of Saint-Chaffre du Monastier
Monastery of Calminiacum / Calmeliacense / S Theofredus
(Monastier-sur-Gazeille, Haute-Loire)
Despite the various traditions and dates concerning the foundation of the monastery of Saint-Chaffre, its antiquity is beyond doubt. According to ancient accounts, it was founded by the noble Calminius (or Calmin), who around the year 630 promoted the construction of a monastery to gather the monks living scattered throughout the area. This figure and his wife, Namadia, are also considered founders of the Abbey of Mozac (Puy-de-Dôme)..
The first abbot was Eudes, trained at the monastery of Lérins (Alpes-Maritimes). He was succeeded by his nephew Theofredus (or Chaffre, †732), who ruled the monastery until he was martyred during a Saracen raid. His death earned him veneration as a saint; a bust reliquary from the 11th century is preserved. Afterwards, the monastery disappears from the record until about 812, when it was restored by Berengar the Wise (790-835). In 817, Louis the Pious restored the abbey, imposed the Benedictine rule according to the reform of Benedict of Aniane, and confirmed its possessions.
In the mid-10th century, the monastery was reformed again with the arrival of monks from Saint-Géraud d’Aurillac (Cantal), and from then on it was placed under the patronage of Saint-Chaffre. At that time, it became linked to the Cluniac current: between 1036 and 1042, Guillaume de Solignac, nephew of Saint Odilo of Cluny (c. 961-1049), was abbot here. This was followed by a long period of prosperity, during which the abbey headed a congregation with some thirty dependent priories, such as those of Chamalières (Haute-Loire), Sainte-Énimie (Lozère), Saint-Laurent de Grenoble (Isère), and even others in Piedmont. In 1179, Pope Alexander III, through a bull, confirmed its possession of two hundred and thirty-five churches and chapels.
The abbey suffered greatly during the Hundred Years’ War: in 1361 it was occupied by mercenaries and fortified, and at that time the abbatial residence, still standing, was built. In 1494 it came under the rule of commendatory abbots. In the second half of the 16th century, it endured the effects of the Wars of Religion and, in 1667, it was formally integrated into the Order of Cluny. Despite these difficulties, building activity continued and, even in the 18th century, new conventual buildings were erected. Finally, in 1776, the monastery was suppressed.
The former abbey church of Saint-Théofrède is a remarkable Romanesque construction, modified over time. It preserves the three primitive naves and transept, but the chevet was rebuilt in the second half of the 15th century, during the abbacy of Vital Erailh. The presbytery is surrounded by an ambulatory with radial chapels. The church also preserves an outstanding series of capitals, both on the western façade and in the interior. Also noteworthy are the 14th-century abbatial palace, with later alterations, and the conventual buildings of the 18th century.
Reliquary of Saint Theofredus, or Chaffre
Photo published in Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille (1975)
Transept and side facade
South portal
Buildings attached to the apse
Castle and abbey palace
The 18th century convent building
Illustration from L'ancienne Auvergne et le Velay (1843)
Detail of the burial of Saint Calminius
(Abbey of Mozac)
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- SAINT-MAUR, Congregació de (1720). Gallia Christiana in provincias ecclesiasticas distributa. Vol. 2. París: Typographia Regia
The monastery of Saint-Chaffre is located southeast of Le Puy-en-Velay