OUR LADY OF BONPORT ABBEY, EVREUX

 Day 8: May 18



The abbey of Our Lady of Bonport was the result of the decision of Richard the Lion Heart, King of England during summer 1189. The King was in danger of death on the river Seine. He made a vow to found a monastery if he would arrive safely on the other side of the river (in French, a Bonport). The monks from the abbey Our Lady of Val, next to Paris, decided to move in at the end of 1189 and started the first constructions. Bonport belongs to the Cîteaux order; this religious order had an important cultural and architectural influence in Europe during the 12th century. The original charter of the foundation of Bonport is lost, but because of many donations, we know that Richard endowed the abbey with fields, vines, forests, mills
The construction of cloistered buildings started in the first quarter of the 12th century, under the abbot Gerard. The architecture of the refectory, of the chapter house and of the scriptorium confirms that. The rapidity of the construction and the utilization of cut stone show the abbey’s richness. The 14th century announced a lot of conflicts for the abbey. Its strategic position on the river Seine exposed it to the Hundred Years War battles that began at this period.
The establishment of the Commende regime is very good for the monastic life. After a few abbots, Bonport was managed by the poet monk Philippe Desportes (1587-1606). With the abbot Melchior of Polignac, some important constructions started into the abbey. The abbot Gilbert of Chabannes suggested many transformations in the abbey. In 1752 the medieval cloister was replaced by a new vaulted construction in stone. The building site ended in 1760.
In July 1789, there was a riot at the gates of the abbey so the prior Dom Peronnier had to call soldiers staying in Pont-de-l’Arche. They lived in the abbey on expenses of monks and left it in December 1790. Finally, on April 2nd 1791 the abbey of Bonport was sold as National Property to Joseph de la Fleurière and Alexandre de la Folies. Alexandre de La Folie, only owner of Bonport, started demolitions. He had profaned graves of the choir, destroyed the abbey-church, the cloister and lays building. Since this disturbed period, the abbey of Bonport is a private domain and its actual proprietors started restorations.
Our Lady of Bonport is one of the few remaining Cistercian abbeys in Normandy with monastic buildings from the Middle Ages, including a magnificent 13th century vaulted refectory.

In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips, never suffer it to leave your heart. And that you may more surely obtain the assistance of her prayer, neglect not to walk in her footsteps. With her for guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; so long as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection you have nothing to fear; if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favor, you shall reach the goal. 
(Saint Bernard)

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