Blanchelande

History

The Abbey was established by Royal charter in 1140, and grew to become an important religious site. In particular it became a hostelry for pilgrims travelling to the holy site of St. Jacques de Compostelle, which accounts for the numerous generous bedrooms. The abbey was dissolved following the revolution and went into a period of decline during which time sadly most of the church and medieval cloisters were destroyed. Parts of the church have survived, and some relics are on display within the Blanchelande room at the Louvre, including its famous 14th century marble statue of the virgin.

Blanchelande was rescued in the mid nineteenth century by the Countess Robersart, daughter of the notorious Duke of Praslin, who added several splendid rooms, including the ornate salon and panelled dining room. She later invited an order of nuns to join her, who stayed in residence until the 1980s. During this period Blanchelande acquired a reputation as a centre for healing, leading to the building of a shrine to Mary of Lourdes which continues to attract visitors from all over France.

The Abbaye was sold to a British family in the 1990s, and was bought by designer Tim Jasper in 2001. He has since embarked on an extensive restoration scheme, the first phase of which should be completed in late Spring 2004.