Flaran Abbey (Abbaye de Flaran), a Cistercian abbey founded in 1151, is one of the best preserved abbeys in the southwest of France. Inside the abbey is a permanent exhibition on the Way of St. James, the pilgrimage route that passes through Gascony to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Two interesting statues in the Museum show pilgrims wearing the traditional scallop shells.
- Pelerin de Saint-Jacques, 18th century (estimated 1772) from Mezin (Lot-et-Garonne). Statue of a pilgrim walking, wearing scallop shells.
- Saint-Jacques, 19th century from Church of Saint-Pierre, Auch. Pilgrim with scallop shell.
The ancient pilgrimage path, the Way of St James (Les Chemins de Saint Jacques dans le Gers) starts in many places in Europe but all lead to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. There are two routes through Gascony:
- The Puy route passes through Saint Antoine, Lectour, Condom, Lagraulet, Bretagne d'Armagnac, Eauze, Sainte-Christie d'Armagnac, Nogaro, Lanne-Soubiran, Luppe, Aire-sur-Adour.
- The Pyrenees route passes through Pujaudran, L'Isle-de-Noe, Montesquiou, Saint-Christaud, Marciac.
Both routes converge at Ostabat and lead to the famous Ronceveaux pass.
These routes were described in 1140 in a pilgrim's guide book. Pilgrimages became popular in 1000 AD, the first millennium. Many churches were built throughout Europe at that time.
Location: France - Novelle-Aquitaine - Gers - Valence-sur-Baïse
This abbey is located in the beautiful Gascony countryside near Condom.
Website: Abbaye de Flaran
Saint-Jacques, 19th century from Church of Saint-Pierre, Auch. Pilgrim with the scallop shell.
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Two interesting statues in the Museum show pilgrims wearing the traditional scallop shells.
- Pelerin de Saint-Jacques, 18th century (estimated 1772) from Mezin (Lot-et-Garonne). Statue of a pilgrim walking, wearing scallop shells.
- Saint-Jacques, 19th century from Church of Saint-Pierre, Auch. Pilgrim with scallop shell.
The ancient pilgrimage path, the Way of St James (Les Chemins de Saint Jacques dans le Gers) starts in many places in Europe but all lead to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. There are two routes through Gascony:
- The Puy route passes through Saint Antoine, Lectour, Condom, Lagraulet, Bretagne d'Armagnac, Eauze, Sainte-Christie d'Armagnac, Nogaro, Lanne-Soubiran, Luppe, Aire-sur-Adour.
- The Pyrenees route passes through Pujaudran, L'Isle-de-Noe, Montesquiou, Saint-Christaud, Marciac.
Both routes converge at Ostabat and lead to the famous Ronceveaux pass.
These routes were described in 1140 in a pilgrim's guide book. Pilgrimages became popular in 1000 AD, the first millennium. Many churches were built throughout Europe at that time.
Location: France - Novelle-Aquitaine - Gers - Valence-sur-Baïse
This abbey is located in the beautiful Gascony countryside near Condom.
Website: Abbaye de Flaran
Saint-Jacques, 19th century from Church of Saint-Pierre, Auch. Pilgrim with the scallop shell.
Google Map
More Photos
