Saint-Michel Abbey

The Saint-Michel Abbey has been known since the 10th century. It is recorded that in 972 a Benedictine community was present: it initiated agricultural and economic development based on the exploitation of the vineyard and the commercial trade of wine on the Tarn. The abbey was partly reconstructed in 1271 in the style of southern Gothic. In 1524, it was secularized, a chapter of canons replaced the community, but the title of abbot was retained. Devastated by Protestants twice, the building was rebuilt and redecorated from 1570 to 1620. Again degraded during the Revolution, it served as a warehouse and a saltpeter furnace before regaining its role under the Concordat. In 1849, as the north entrance was closed, another was opened on the west façade where a neo-Romanesque portal (work of Alexandre du Mège) was added. Extensive restoration work has been undertaken since the end of the 19th century until the complete renovation of the abbey buildings in the 1990s. The former abbey buildings are protected along with their retaining walls on the Tarn, including the Hôtel de Paulo (current presbytery, 42 place Maurice-et-Eugénie-de-Guérin) and registered as historical monuments by decree of February 3, 1994.

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