On September 18 and 19 for European Heritage Days, the Royal Abbey of Epau presents its visitors with two exhibitions, one devoted to the treasures of sacred art and the other around the works of 7 photographers on the theme of “roaming”.

  • The Royal Abbey of Épau opens its doors on Heritage Days
    @Sarthe Culture

Located at the gates of the city of Le Mans, the Royal Abbey of Épau is an ancient and majestic Cistercian sanctuary founded by Queen Bérengère in 1229. Listed as a historic monument, the abbey is one of the finest examples of architecture Cistercian in France. In 1204, Bérengère de Navarre, Queen Consort of England through her marriage to Richard the Lionheart, moved to Le Mans to exercise her dower as a widow. She then accompanied many local initiatives such as the construction of the cathedral choir, financed the Maison-Dieu de Coëffort and established the Cordeliers convent. In 1229, she decided to found an abbey where she would be buried the following year. Construction began in 1230 and ended in 1365. During the Hundred Years War, the building was burnt down by the Manceaux themselves, for fear that the enemy troops would make a siege of it. A renovation project was carried out by Guillaume de Bonneville between 1440 and 1444. Several times damaged and transformed during the Revolution and the Second World War in particular, the building was finally acquired by the General Council of Sarthe in 1958. Then began a great restoration project that will last 50 years at the end of which the site will regain its original 1973th century appearance. The abbey was classified in 1965 but from XNUMX, it became a cultural place. In addition to the meetings of the Departmental Assembly, it hosts numerous cultural events: concerts, conferences, exhibitions and curious electro naps in August.

Sacred art in majesty

The Departmental Council of Sarthe with the assistance of the Council of Architecture, Urbanism and the Environment (CAUE) organize until September 19 a national exhibition at the Royal Abbey of Épau entitled "Treasures of sacred art - 30 years of restoration by the Sarthe department"  dedicated to the development of religious painting in Le Mans in the XNUMXth century and its restoration over the past thirty years. The exhibition which ends for the European Heritage Days can be discovered in two stages. The first part is devoted to the Sarthe pictorial art of the XNUMXth century. “We chose to present this period from Mannerism to Baroque because it is really the most interesting. For example for the 500th century we only have around thirty works listed in the department against almost XNUMX works for the following century ” explains Anetta Palonka-Cohin, the curator. Under the majestic vaults of the abbey church, this part presents forty-eight paintings restored over the past thirty years and usually exhibited in the churches of the department. The scenographic choice, of an immersive nature, uses the treatment of light and plays on the absence of the latter to highlight the works. At the same time, an acoustic treatment was also imagined from Gregorian chants. Thus, this soundscape favors the complete immersion of the visitor in the exhibition.

The Epau abbey seen from the sky from Department of Sarthe on Vimeo.

Thirty years of local restoration

The treatment of light aims to subtly accompany the discovery of paintings. The scenography suggests to the visitor to look at the works in the light of a candle as in the time of their creation. « The exhibition shows the evolution of painting in the province of Haut-Maine during the XNUMXth century. The painters of Le Mans, while keeping their provincial characteristics, were open to new contributions from northern Europe and Italy. Their works, also inspired for some by the great Parisian masters, marked a turning point in regional production ” emphasizes Anetta Palonka-Cohin. The second part of the exhibition showcases the work of restorers of works of art, by relying on local projects, carried out by artisans of the region and supported by the Departmental Council of Sarthe. Thirteen works (paintings on wood, on canvas and sculptures) are presented in a museography that is both sober and refined. An educational installation, taking the form of a tunnel, completes the public's immersive experience. This educational tunnel is entirely focused on the workshops of Le Mans painters and their creative work. In the XNUMXth century, painters very often relied on copies, a practice widely used at the time. The sound material used in this space aims to promote the visitor's understanding. It combines the sounds specific to an artists' studio of the time.

mamas benz

Since 2013, a program of photographic exhibitions has also been developed on the site by the Departmental Council of Sarthe in the gardens and in the rooms of the Royal Abbey of Épau. This 9th edition allows the Sarthe department to promote culture by exhibiting until October 31 the works of 8 photographers, Sandra Melh, Robert Doisneau, Tomás Munita, Floriane de Lassée, Michel and Dominique Beucher, Nicolas Boutruche, Kim Boske around the theme of “roaming”. Among these photographers, Floriane de Lassée is particularly interested in "Mamas Benz", these African women who have managed to buy German Mercedes sedans by trading in wax, this essential colorful fabric of West Africa. . A printed fabric, the process of which comes from Java in Indonesia and which made the fortune of traders in Ghana, Benin and Togo in the late 70s and 80s. With a formidable sense of business, these women self-taught and sometimes illiterate have proven to be experts in international trade. The legend of "Mamas or Nanas Benz" was born. Some have invested in real estate, others in culture, health structures or education. Another place, another era, the exhibition also highlights the founding work of a beloved and now deceased photographer, Robert Doisneau, who from the 1940s to the 1990s photographed all types of music. A career that has been punctuated by musical encounters that are all inspiring for his artist's eye.

Behind the scenes

From popular balls to brass bands, including cabarets, he met many anonymous people but also jazz musicians and stars of his time. His friendship with Jacques Prévert opens the doors of Saint-Germain-des-Prés to him and allows him to portray the great jazzmen of his time: Mezz Mezzrow, Bill Coleman, Django Reinhardt… Director and photographer, Nicolas Boutruche is on his side Starting from the principle of taking photographs as we do dollhouses, that is to say removing the facade and seeing everything that happens inside. With the series Voyeurism at 1/10e », the artist invites us to observe what takes place in the privacy of homes: behind the walls of a hotel, a house, a chalet, a caravan… behind the scenes. “Generally, people are not necessarily to their advantage. I always explain to them when they come to pose that I'm not necessarily going to take a good photo of them, but that I will try to look for the dirty and hidden side of their life and their personality. »Explains Nicolas Boutruche. A true photographic and cultural journey, the photographic season is displayed within the Cistercian Abbey of L'Épau, but also outside the walls of the abbey, in the heart of downtown Le Mans: at the Hôtel du Département , on the gates of the Parc de la Préfecture and at the station, as well as on certain locks in the Sarthe department.

Permaculture garden

A jewel of greenery at the gates of the city accessible by tram, the Royal Abbey of Épau, whose gardens are open to the public free of charge, continues to renew itself. In 2020, despite the pandemic, the Christmas lights attracted almost 40 people while the photographic exhibitions now accompany the visitor beyond the medieval buildings. A permaculture garden that respects and uses natural ecosystems has been created so that the products of the abbey are served at the monks' café. The Royal Abbey of Épau also has a conservatory orchard, with old apples grown in partnership with the “Apple Crunchers” of Sarthe. Beehives have been installed and a red fruit orchard has been planted to be able to make compotes and jams. Little by little, the garden is regaining its rights to the delight of families and its many visitors.

David Raynal

Website of the Royal Abbey of Épau: https://epau.sarthe.fr

Eight international photographers in the Abbey Park (until October 31).

  • Sandra Melh with her project “PS I write to you from the beach of the seagulls”.
  • Robert Doisneau music from the 40s to the 90s with "Ecouter la rue".
  • Tomás Munita takes us on a journey with “Patagonia”.
  • Floriane de Lassée exhibits her series “Mamas Benz” of portraits of women.
  • Michel and Dominique Beucher present a series of amazing photos to meet the Sarthe flora and fauna.
  • Nicolas Boutruche and his funny and spicy creations "From voyeurism to 1 / 10th".
  • Kim Boske and his project “Instantanés” touching on abstraction and evoking impressionist practice.

Access to the Royal Abbey of Épau

  • Route de Changé - 72530 Yvré-l'Évêque 02 43 84 22 29
  • epau.accueil@sarthe.fr
  • A28 motorway> Exit 23 Le Mans ZI Sud
    • > follow Le Mans Center, then Abbaye Royale de l'Épau
  • Site accessible by public transport
    • > By tram: line 2 direction Espal-Arche de la Nature (13 min from the
  • SNCF station), stop: Gué Bernisson
    • > By bus: line 6 direction Saint Martin stop: Gué Bernisso

Duration:

From September 1 to October 31:

Open every day except Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m.

Prices

  • Adult: 5,50 €
  • Reduced: € 4,00 (job seeker, student under 30, disabled person)
  • Young - 10-17 years old: € 3,00
  • Free: child under 10, accompanying a person with a disability
  • Group rate - from 15 people: € 4,50
  • Queen Bérengère card (unlimited access to the Abbey for 1 year): € 15,00