Abbaye de Bonne Combe

The foundation of Bonnecombe Abbey took place in 1166 or 1167. It was established as a daughter monastery of Candeil, under the patronage of Raymond V, Count of Toulouse and Rodez, and Bishop Hugo of Rodez. Thus, it joined the filiation of the primary abbey of Clairvaux. Until about 1470, the monastery experienced a period of prosperity and possessed lands, including fourteen granges. During the Hundred Years' War, the complex was fortified. From 1470, the monastery fell into commendam, and one of its commendatory abbots later became Pope Innocent VIII. The French Revolution led to the dissolution of the monastery in 1790, after which it fell into disrepair. A re-settlement by Trappists from Aiguebelle Abbey occurred in 1876, who carried out restoration work from 1889 and remained until 1965. Since then, it has been used by various religious and social communities, including the Communauté de l’Arche from 1980 and the Communauté des Béatitudes since 1998. The complex has been a protected historical monument since 1840.