ABBEY OF BELLAIGUE
Historical and spiritual visit to Virlet, a remarkable Cistercian abbey with acloister.
27 km northwest of Menat on the D503 past Virlet, this ancient abbey founded in the 10th century became Cistercian in 1137. Partially destroyed by fire in the 17th century, it was rebuilt in the following century. Later abandoned, it was restored in the 1960s. It is a fine example of the sober, austere architecture typical of Cistercian buildings. The church itself has imposing proportions: three naves with seven bays and side aisles, a projecting transept flanked by an apsidal chapel, the only one of the original five to have survived. The north cross houses the marble and stone recumbents of Archambaud VII and VIII de Bourbon and Beatrix de Montluçon. The convent buildings, preceded by a 17th-century cloister gallery, include a refectory, chapter house, kitchen and monastic cells. Remains of the old enclosure are also visible.
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