The Abbey of Lucerne d'Outremer
Built in the second half of the 12th century, the Abbey was restored in the 15th and the 17th centuries. Out of the shade of this picturesque site rise the Abbey's Romanesque buildings, Cistercian in their austere and restrained elegance. The complex is dominated by an Anglo-Norman tower with an early touch of Gothic architecture.
Nestled at the heart of the Thar valley ever since the 12th century, the Abbaye de La Lucerne has been protected for the last 50 years and has undergone remarkable restoration work. The architecture of this complex tells a compelling story of intimacy and strength, the history of men who lived by what they believed in. You'll be struck by the pure and minimalistic style of the Norbertine architecture, its great luminosity and the preserved authenticity of the site. There are very few examples of such well-preserved medieval Norbertian architecture in France.
Pass through Saint-Léger, a municipality now linked to Saint-Jean- des-Champs, a tiny little village with a church that overlooks the valley, to get to the Abbaye de Lucerne d'Outremer. This 12-century abbey is listed as an historical monument. The panoramic view from the top is breathtaking.
