Abbey of Saint-Étienne de Bassac

The first monastic community to settle here came from the Abbey of Saint-Cybard d’Angoulême, and its first abbot was Ademar, also from that house. Upon their deaths, the founders were buried in the abbey church. At the end of the 11th century, Pope Urban II intervened in the monastery’s affairs due to neglect in observing the Rule; in 1095, the Abbey of Bassac was placed under the authority of the Abbey of Saint-Jean d’Angély (Charente-Maritime), a dependency that lasted until 1246.

In 1562 the site was again plundered and ruined, this time during the Wars of Religion, which continued to affect the abbey on several occasions. Reconstruction stretched over a long period: throughout the 17th century, damaged buildings were gradually restored. In 1666 the abbey was reformed and joined the Congregation of Saint-Maur, which gave new impetus to the restoration work. The French Revolution led to the expulsion of the monastic community. The complex became private property, except for the church, which was converted into a parish church. This is the same church built in the 13th century, incorporating elements from an earlier structure and later modifications.