The Abbey of Sainte-Marie is a Romanesque abbey founded in 804, located in Cruas, in the Ardèche department, on the banks of the river Crûle, close to the Rhone valley, a major axis of communication and trade.
The Benedictine abbey was built on the ruins of a Gallo-Roman villa and an early Christian edifice. Consecrated in 1095 and enlarged in the 12th century, it suffered from flooding and the Wars of Religion, and was abandoned. Reoccupied by monks from 1628 to 1741, it has been listed as a historic monument since 1862.
A visit to the abbey church of Sainte-Marie de Cruas is an opportunity to understand how a monastic community functioned in medieval times, and to discover some real treasures. First and foremost, there’s the architectural treasure of the pure Romanesque ensemble, which is highly homogeneous and impressive. The other treasure of this church is its monastic tribune, for the quality of its sculptures and its rarity. The praying figure in the crypt is one of the highlights of this monument. Last but not least, the 12th-century mosaic in the church’s choir is a sight to behold.
