Flaran Abbey

Flaran Abbey was a former Cistercian abbey located in Valence-sur-Baïse, in the "départment" of Gers, France. The abbey was founded in 1151, as a subsidiary to the Escaladieu Abbey, at the confluence of the Auloue and Baïse rivers, between the towns of Condom and Auch. The abbey was founded by Burgundian monks and today represents one of the best preserved abbey in the southwest of France.

History

After its foundation in the 12th century, Flaran Abbey experience rapid growth. In the middle of the 13th century, the abbey founded, with Gerald V, Count of Armagnac, the fortified town of Valence-sur-Baïse [http://www.citaenet.com/valence-sur-baise/] on a hillside on the other side of the Baïse river.

The abbey did not escape the vicissitudes of history, beginning with the Hundred Years' War, which ended with the Comté of Gascony being realigned with France. Engulfed by fire during the French Wars of Religion, the abbey was restored by subsequent abbots, but was sold during the French Revolution.

In 1913, the Gers Archeological Society intervened so that the abbey would not end up in The Cloisters museum in New York City.

The site was purchased by the department of Gers in 1972 and underwent an intense restoration project and is now the site of numerous cultural activities. The site houses a permanent exhibition on the pilgramage route to Santiago de Compostela (Way of St. James).