Abbey of the Star

Founded around 1117 by Pierre de l'Étoile , the abbey owes its name to its founder. Originally a simple colony of hermits, it was attached to the Cistercian order in 1145 , becoming one of the major spiritual centers of the region. From the 12th to the 15th centuries , the abbey flourished among six other Cistercian houses in Poitou.

Weakened by the establishment of the commendatory system in the 16th century and the Wars of Religion , it lost much of its wealth. Later, one of its commendatory priests, a Canadian canon , offered refuge there to Acadian families , thus forging a strong link with their descendants, who perpetuate this memory today.

Currently undergoing restoration , the Abbaye de l'Étoile is well worth a visit. On site, you can discover the chapter house , the chapel , a permanent exhibition at the Moulin de l'Abbaye , and the Acadian farm , a living testament to a chapter of transatlantic history.