TUFFÉ ABBEY

Description

Founded in the 7th century by a noblewoman named Loppa, the women's abbey became a men's abbey and then a priory attached to Saint-Vincent du Mans abbey in the 11th century. The priory flourished with the arrival of the Maurist Benedictine monks in 1646. They enlarged and rebuilt all the conventual buildings. They converted the garden into a place for relaxation, meditation and contemplation. During the Revolution, the site was sold as national property and, from 1798 to 1830, became the headquarters of one of the first major earthenware factories in the Sarthe. Remains of the monastic buildings characteristic of classical Maurist architecture remain. Following the purchase of the main buildings by the municipality in 2003, an association has been set up to promote the site, restore the gardens, provide tours and offer a varied cultural programme throughout the year.