This magnificent abbey on the banks of the Gartempe is a national treasure. More than 400m2 of ceiling are covered with frescoes, painted in the 11th and 12th centuries making …
The abbey is inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List due to its comprehensive and well-preserved collection of Romanesque wall paintings. It is worth visiting just for that. The abbey site has been occupied since at least the 9th century.
The Gartempe river runs about a hundred kilometers from east to west through the granite lands of the Creuse, which gives it this slightly black color of water. The Gartempe is the main tributary of the Creuse.
Route of "La vigne aux moines", very nice, well shaded along La Gartempe, can be traveled on foot or by mountain bike. Very nice terminus at the guinguette "Les petits Sardines".