Bonneval Abbey (Aveyron)

Bonneval quickly became a rich and powerful abbey, owning extensive estates throughout the country.

In the mid-14th century it suffered from the Black Death and underwent much damage and loss during the Hundred Years' War, as the Rouergue was given to the English in 1360 by the Treaty of Brétigny.

Towns and abbeys were looted, and Bonneval, although fortified, was unable to keep out the English troops and the bands of marauding French bandits.

Nevertheless, Bonneval was chosen in the 17th century to educate novices from every Cistercian abbey in southwest France.

They also opened a chocolate factory, and installed a turbine on the river to produce electricity.