PUYPEROUX ABBEY

Legend has it that Saint Gilles founded the abbey in the ^6th century by throwing his hammer: "Wherever it falls, I'll build an abbey In the ^12th century, the monks left the site, which became a simple priory and declined. It was rediscovered in the ^19th century by Abbé Michon, who, seduced by the beauty of the ruins, established a congregation of nuns. The abbey was restored and enlarged, and once again became a place of pilgrimage to Saint Gilles. Access is via a huge forecourt and monumental staircase. In the nave, the tomb of Saint Gilles is guarded by guardian lions.