Abbatiale de Saint-Germer-de-Fly

It is said that in the 7th century, the former adviser of King Dagobert, Saint-Germer, founded the first Benedictine abbey in Fly (in 661) with the help of the archbishop of Rouen, after having become a monk following the death of his wife. During the Viking raids in France, the abbey church was destroyed. At the instigation of one of Charlemagne's relatives, it was rebuilt. It was then given to the bishop of Beauvais in the 9th century. The abbey of Saint-Germer-de-Fly is particularly known for its Sainte-Chapelle built in the XIIIth century, on the model of the one in Paris. However, the Hundred Years' War brought again many destructions, in particular at the level of the facade. A few centuries later, the Maurists (reformed Benedictine monks) settled in Saint-Germer-de-Fly and decided to restore the entire abbey. This work lasted from 1644 to the 18th century. Today, the abbey was closed to the public for nearly 10 years and is gradually reopening to free visits and group visits if they are supervised.