The Benedictine priory of Saint-Hippolyte de Vivoin was founded following the donation to the abbey of Marmoutier (Tours, Indre-et-Loire), of a church belonging to the viscounts of Beaumont. Raoul V de Beaumont formalized this grant on a date that can be placed between 1058 and 1062. Bishop Vulgrin also took part in the transaction; formerly abbot of Saint-Serge d’Angers (Maine-et-Loire), he occupied the episcopal see of Le Mans between 1055 and 1066.
In the city of Le Mans, Marmoutier also possessed the priory of Saint-Martin. Around 1240, that house was destroyed by fire, and its possessions were subsequently incorporated into the priory of Vivoin. Both the town of Vivoin and the priory itself suffered during the Hundred Years’ War, notably in 1356 and again in 1432. In the 16th century, the priory came under the rule of commendatory priors. By the 17th century it was already in decline, and the community refused to submit to the Congregation of Saint-Maur.
The church and several buildings belonging to the priory complex have survived. The church has a single nave, and this nave constitutes the oldest part of it, corresponding to the first construction phase, dating from the 11th century. It includes a transept and a chevet formed by three rectangular apsidal chapels. The central apse, housing the chancel, is of considerable size and is divided into three bays. The lateral chapels, opening onto the arms of the transept, display similar characteristics, although they comprise only two bays. This entire sector belongs to a later construction phase, from the 13th and 14th centuries. The western façade is preceded by a porch added at a later date.
- BESSE, Jean-Martial (1920). Abbayes et prieurés de l'ancienne France, vol. 8, Tours. París : Picard
- DENIS, Louis J.; ed. (1894). Cartulaire du prieuré de Saint-Hippolyte de Vivoin et de ses annexes. París / Ligugé: Picard / Saint-Martin
- DEYRES, Marcel (1985). Maine roman. La nuit des temps, 64. Zodiaque
- PIOLIN, Dom Paul (1851-56). Histoire de l’Église du Mans. Vols. I i III. París: Julien, Lanier et Cie. Ed.
- THIBOUT, Marc (1961). Vivoin. Congrès archéologique de France. 119 ss. Maine. Société française d'archéologie
Vivoin is situated north of Le Mans, on the road to Alençon