Abbey of Aniane

Founded by Benedict of Aniane with the support of Charlemagne, it was a major reforming monastery in the Carolingian era.

[2][3] The abbey was located on the banks of the brook Anian, now called Corbières, just upstream from where it joins the Hérault.

[1] At the request of Bishop Theodulf of Orléans, it sent monks to reform Saint-Mesmin de Micy.

[2][3] So prominent was the abbey that, in 822, Archbishop Agobard of Lyon and Nimfridius of Narbonne [fr] attended the abbatial election.

[2][3] He managed to pass control of it down to his successor, Manasses [fr] Afterwards it was acquired by the bishop of Béziers.

Aniane was also involved in a dispute with the abbey of La Chaise-Dieu over the priory of Gourdaignes [fr].

The abbey was highly favoured and several abbots became bishops of Béziers, Montpellier, Nîmes and Saint-Papoul.

Benedict XIII rewarded Abbot Philippe by appointing him vicar general in the archdiocese of Arles.

The result was that the abbey suffered a punitive visitation and reform in 1411 from the Roman pope Gregory XII.

[1][2][3] The commendatory abbot himself, Jean de Saint-Chamond [fr], soon abandoned Catholicism and converted.

Pierre de Bonzi rebuilt the church, laying the first stone on 28 April 1679 and consecrating it on 10 February 1688.