abbaye Saint-Jouin

The Abbey of Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes is a historic abbey located in the commune of Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes in the Deux-Sèvres department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. Its former abbey church, a masterpiece of Poitevin Romanesque architecture, stands as one of the region's most significant religious monuments. Originally known as Ensio during the Gallo-Roman period and later Ension, the abbey has played a pivotal role in the spread of Christianity in the area.

In the late 4th century, Jovinus (French: Saint Jouin), hailing from a wealthy family in Mouterre-Silly near Loudun, sought solitude in the forests of the region with a small group of disciples. His brother, Saint Maximin, was among the first archbishops of Trier. According to tradition, around 342, Jovinus established an oratory near Ensio. This oratory evolved into a monastery, initially named Ension, which later became Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes. Following the foundation of Ligugé Abbey by Saint Martin of Tours in 361, it became the second oldest monastery in France. Jovinus' preaching and benevolence led to his veneration, with his relics preserved in the monastery's Carolingian-era church.

In the 6th century, Felix of Nantes, bishop of Nantes, urged Martin of Vertou to evangelize southern parts of his diocese and Poitou. Martin arrived at Ension, where he found an established monastic community and introduced the Rule of Saint Benedict to guide the monks' way of life.

During the wars between Pepin the Short, Charlemagne, and Hunald I, Duke of Aquitaine, in the late 8th century, the monks fled the monastery due to conflicts in the region.

The abbey escaped destruction during the Viking invasions of the early 9th century due to its inland location, away from navigable rivers. It became a cultural hub in Upper Poitou, offering refuge to monks from other monasteries, such as the abbey of Saint Martin of Vertou, who brought relics with them. In 843, after the Vikings withdrew due to Louis the Pious, the monks revitalized the monastery, reinstating the Rule of Saint Benedict. By 878, the Carolingian church was rebuilt, attracting pilgrims whose donations bolstered the abbey's prosperity.

Located along the Via Turonensis, a major pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, the abbey saw a surge in pilgrims during the 11th century, outgrowing its Carolingian church. Construction of a new abbey church began in 1095 under Raoul de La Futaie, a monk and reformer, and was completed by 1130, reflecting the abbey's growing wealth and influence.

In 1100, Raoul became abbot, overseeing the completion of the abbey church by 1130. Its grand proportions and artistic features symbolized the abbey's prosperity. By 1179, the abbey held jurisdiction over 127 churches and their communities, establishing churches in Saint-Sébastien-sur-Loire, Nantes, Vertou, and Les Moutiers-en-Retz.

The Romanesque barrel vaults of the nave and choir were replaced with Angevin Gothic vaults. Structural issues in the southeast choir area led to the addition of unsightly pillars to prevent collapse, altering the choir's harmonious proportions.

During the Hundred Years' War, the region fell under English control between 1369 and 1374. In 1372, the English added a small bell tower to the south tower. Fortifications were expanded, including an elevated southern transept with machicolations and a large spiral staircase for defensive purposes. The abbey withstood attacks, and the region was reclaimed by Bertrand du Guesclin in the 1370s. In 1422, fortifications were further strengthened but sustained significant damage. The monastery was restored in 1447, and in 1467, Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes became a market town. In 1476, Pierre III d'Amboise rebuilt the monastery and cloister, though only the southern cloister gallery s

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