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Koad Malouen

Koad Malouen abbey (Silva Milonis) in Côtes d'Armor, was founded in 1143 by Alain Le Noir, Duke of Richmond, son-in- -law of the Duke of Bretagne Conan III, and was the daughter- -house of Bégard, herself daughter-house of Cîteaux. It lived through the good and bad fortunes of abbeys in France. From the 17th century the effort to reform the order led to restorations and in particular, under the abbacy of his eminence Languet, Archbishop of Sens from 1710 to 1750. It is thus that the 18th century remains of a 12th century abbey can be admired. Still intact after the Revolution its first buyer, in 1806, destroyed part of it and built a manor in Trégrom near Lannion. In 1993 The Friends of Koad Malouen Abbey began restoring the site and its activities : Guided tours: Exhibitions; Theatre; Concerts; presented in the old stables (1710). Only the church and the west front of the guest building are still standing. The church, rebuilt in the 18th century, is of very traditional rigour. A triangular pediment can be observed on the front face and on the door, the scallop shell of the St. James way Pilgrims. The west side, open to the sky, testifies of the architectural greatness of the reconstruction. The foundations discovered during digs have been crystallised. The standing remains restored. The site is now clearer in an area that has recovered its natural beauty.