Abbaye Saint-Jean d'Orbestier

Located on Le Chateau d'Olonne coastline, the Saint-Jean d'Orbestier abbey was built during the 12th century, at the instigation of the Duke of Aquitaine and Count of Poitou, Guillaume IX, on a 2000 acres domain. This monument currently being restored is an example of an important Benedictine monastry between the 12th and 18th century. As many others, it enjoyed greatness, prosperity before destruction. Richard Lion Heart contributed to the influence of the monastry by confiming the privileges granted to the Orbestier monks by his great-grand-father Guillaume IX and by making the Orbestier forest his favourite hunting ground.