Maillezais Abbey

An abbey church, converted into a cathedral and an episcopal seat in 1317, was erected on this promontory from a monastery founded in 976. Before the drying of the Marais Poitevin, this mound was an island that one can imagine looking a little like at Mont-Saint-Michel.
At its peak, the abbey shined throughout Poitou. Rabelais lived there like this for several years.
The building suffered numerous destructions during wars and conflicts, it was even used as a quarry for building material after the Revolution. The remains which were able to be saved remain among the most remarkable in the Vendée department.
It was estimated that the cathedral could be 105 meters long, 33 meters wide and stood at 60 meters high. Currently the ruins are only 25 meters high.