Prébenoît Monastery

The Prébenoît Monastery is a former Cistercian abbey in the municipality of Bétête in the Creuse department, Limousin region, France. The monastery is located about 33 kilometers northeast of Guéret on the banks of the Petite Creuse.
The monastery was founded in 1140 due to a foundation by the Lord of Malval by the Benedictines of Dalon Monastery. It joined the Cistercian Order in 1162 with Dalon as part of the filiation of the primatial abbey of Pontigny. The monastery received endowments from several noble families in the area. The Lords of Boussac established their burial place in Prébenoît. The monastery owned the granges of la Villatte, Bramereix, Molle, l’Écosse, Moisse, and le Chassain in the immediate vicinity as well as Ligondeix and Sainte-Sévère further away. In 1591, the monastery, which had fallen into commendam, was occupied by the troops of the Duke of Zweibrücken, who burned the furnishings and damaged the buildings upon their departure, the restoration of which lasted until 1622. In 1691, the very poor condition of the monastery was lamented. The size of the abbey always remained modest. Before the Revolution, it counted only two monks. During the French Revolution, it was dissolved in 1791 and converted into an agricultural estate. Around 1980, it was acquired by the municipality of Bétête, which entrusted it to a supporting association. However, in 2001, disputes arose with the municipality, which reclaimed the site.

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