There is no way to miss this impressive abbey from anywhere within the small town of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives. And it is easily visible as you drive across the Calvados countryside, too. It’s quite wonderful to be living a mere ten minutes away from a place like this.
Founded in 1011 by Countess Lesceline, the aunt of William the Conqueror — the abbey has undergone a variety of extensions and renovations over the subsequent centuries and those renovations continue right into the present day. Here’s a small photo essay of this truly gorgeous abbey.
A glimpse of the medieval abbey towers of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives can be seen all throughout the town and from several miles/kilometres away as you drive across the landscape of Calvados in Normandy, France. Founded in 1011 by Lesceline, the aunt of William the Conqueror, the abbey has been enlarged, rebuilt, or renovated several times over the following centuries.
Exterior view of stained glass-filled chapels at the Abbey in Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives.
Chapel containing the grave of Lesceline, the aunt of William the Conqueror and founder of the abbey in 1011.
The gravestone of Lesceline, the aunt of William the Conqueror and founder of the abbey in 1011.
The main altar area of the abbey.
A side aisle in the abbey.
A rather curious set of stairs to nowhere.
Abbey interior.
Lovely angles and arches.
A drawing of the original layout — much of which on the outer perimeter facing the gardens is being restored at present.
These are the buildings along the outer part of the Abbey complex — the ones that are facing the gardens in the illustration above. The French government sold these buildings off after the Revolution and they have gradually been repurchased. Some of them are in perilous condition and are being properly renovated now.
Simple chairs against a lovely metalwork enclosure near the main altar.
The ever-present candles.
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