Abbey of Saint-Seine

Sigo, a son of the Count of Mesmont, withdrew from the world into the heart of the forest of Cestres on his family lands, in the territory of the present commune of Saint-Seine-l'Abbaye.

[1] In the 8th century the great reformer Saint Benedict of Aniane made his profession and became a monk at Saint-Seine.

[2] The abbey church was built in 1225 by the Abbot Olivier, but destroyed by fire in 1255.

The west front, comprising a porch between two towers, is of the 15th century, as are the 22 frescoes in the choir depicting the life of Saint Seine, while the choir stalls are of the 18th century.

[3] A new cloister was built in 1475 under the abbot Pierre de Fontenette to harmonise with the other conventual buildings.