Site de la Maison-Dieu

A first hospital was founded on this site at the end of the 11th century. The site quickly fell into ruin and was taken over by a pilgrim lord, Robert du Peux, at the beginning of the 12th century, who set up a monastery hospital there. From this period, two main buildings have survived the centuries: the Saint-Laurent church and the chapel of the cemetery, the famous Octagon. During the Hundred Years' War, the complex was fortified, as can still be seen in the defense tower located south of the church. The large monastic buildings, the boiler room and the barn were rebuilt in the 17th century. In 1805, the complex was bought by the Bishopric of Poitiers and became the seat of a minor seminary which closed in 1968.


The site is not accessible to visitors.