You are here:
Abbeys > Belgium > Namur > Faulx-les-Tombes > Grandpré

Grandpré

The Cistercian Abbey of Grandpré was founded by Marguerite, Countess of Vienna, in the year of our Lord 1231 on the feast day of the Assumption of Mary using the assets established by her brother Philippe, Count of Namur. The Abbey Notre-Dame de Grandpré was therefore under the authority of the Abbey of Villers en Brabant. Between 1231 and 1356 many of the abbots of Grandpré were chosen from the monks of Villers. Around 1740, Dutch troops pillaged the Abbey, destroying the bells, driving out the monks and ransacking the buildings. Grandpré underwent significant transformation in 1771. Only a few monks remained until 1809. A description from 1744 states: The 180 foot long church is made up of a large nave and two vaulted aisles; the bays are adorned with stained glass windows. An ornate screen between the two altars separates the chancel from the nave. The chancel is paved with mottled black marble. A cloister is adjoined to the church forming a perfect square of which each gallery is adorned with Tuscan order paired pilasters around semi-circular stained glass windows; the ornamental tilling is made of black marble. If the first square of the monastic buildings no longer exists due to the destruction of the church, a second square, that of the farm, still exists and is currently used as a dwelling. The ancient abbey has conserved its entrance hall with a remarkable traditional porch, of which the renovation has restored the brilliance to the statue of the Virgin Mary holding Jesus in her arms. The current owners bought this property, a listed building, in 1987, and have since been undertaking its complete restoration.