Benedictine Monastery of La Reole
Complex of monastic buildings dating from the early 18th century
Known as the Abbaye de La Réole and the Prieuré des Bénédictines, it was abandoned by the monks in 1790 and today houses the administrative services of La Réole.
Covering an area of around a hectare this is a substantial building in the town and has for the most part been well preserved. The simple and robust construction is to thank for this. One of the main features of the building is the wroght iron work which was undertaken by master-craftsman, Blaise Charlut, who is also responsible for some of the work in the Bordeaux Cathedral.
Inside the building the upstairs and cloister areas now house the municipal and administrative services. Whereas the basement is now home to the areas library.
Worth knowing
On a clear day it is possible to see as far as the Pyrenees from this building. If you find yourself at the southern door where a staircase leads down to the terrace that overlooks the Garonne river, then be sure to check and see if you can views the impressive peaks in the distance.
