Faremoutiers Abbey

Faremoutiers Abbey, also known as Abbaye Notre-Dame de Faremoutiers, was a significant place for nuns in France. It was built during the time of the Merovingian kings and followed the rules of the Benedictine way of life. The abbey was located in what is now the Seine-et-Marne department.

During its early years, Faremoutiers Abbey played a key role in connecting the Frankish Empire with the kingdoms of Kent and East Anglia in England. After being closed during the French Revolution, the abbey was reopened in the 20th century, bringing its rich history back to life.

History

The abbey was founded around 620 by Burgundofara, also known as Saint Fara, who was its first leader. She was dedicated to serving God from a young age. With approval from Bishop Gundoald of Meaux, she created the abbey on her family’s land. Monks came from Eustace of Luxeuil to help build and guide the community.

Faremoutiers was special because it was the first place in France to have both monks and nuns living together as a double monastery. It followed strict rules set by Saint Columbanus. The area was renamed Faremoutiers in her honor, and the nearby village grew around the abbey. Over time, the abbey changed its rules to follow the Rule of Saint Benedict. Sadly, it faced attacks, fires, and difficult periods, including during wars and political changes. The abbey eventually closed during the French Revolution, and the nuns returned to their families. The buildings were later used for other purposes.

Re-foundation

In 1923, Benedictine nuns from Abbaye Saint-Nicolas de Verneuil moved to Amillis and later established a small community at the site of Faremoutier Abbey in 1931, which is still there today. The Abbey of Faremoutiers is now part of the Benedictine Congregation of Mont-Olivet. Since 1980, the monastery has provided care for elderly nuns from various monasteries across France in a special home for senior citizens.

List of abbesses of Faremoutiers

Here is a list of the leaders of Faremoutiers Abbey, known as abbesses, from its early days through later centuries:

• Burgundofara or Saint Fara (around 620–655)
• Saint Sæthryth (died before 664), stepdaughter of King Anna of East Anglia
• Saint Æthelburg (died around 664), daughter of King Anna of East Anglia
• Ruothild (840–852), daughter of Charlemagne
• Bertrade de Germanie (852–877), daughter of Louis the German
• Judith (died 977)
• Avelina (10th century)
• Hildegarde (10th century)
• Risende (1137–1146)
• Emma (1146–1154)
• Lucienne de La Chapelle (1154–1212)
• Marguerite I (1212–1215)
• Hersende de Touquin (1215–1219)
• Eustachie (1219–1240)
• Julienne de Grez de Nesle-en-Brie (1240–1252)
• Sibylle (1252–1272)
• Avoie (1272–1289)
• Marguerite II de Mons (1289–1290)
• Marguerite III de Chevry (1290–1312)
• Marguerite IV de Mons (1312–1341)
• Mathilde de Joinville de La Malmaison (1341–1346)
• Jeanne I de Noyers (1346–1363)
• Marguerite V de Lully d’Ancre (1363–1383)
• Marguerite VI de Noyers (1383–1409)
• Jeanne II de Châteauvillain (1409–1417)
• Denise du Sollier (1417–1434)
• Jeanne III Rapillard (1434–1439)
• Isabelle I de Mory (1439–1454)
• Jeanne IV de Bautot (1454–1490)
• Jeanne V Chrestienne d’Harcourt-Beuvron (1490–1511)
• Madeleine de Valois-Orléans-Angoulême (1511–1515), daughter of Charles, Count of Angoulême
• Marie I Cornu (1515–1518)
• Jeanne VI Joly (1518–1531)
• Marie II Baudry (1531–1555)
• Antoinette de Lorraine-Guise (1555–1563), daughter of Claude, Duke of Guise
• Françoise Guillard (1563–1567)
• Marie III Violle (1567–1573)
• Louise I de Bourbon-Montpensier (1573–1586), daughter of Louis, Duke of Montpensier
• Isabelle II de Chauvigny (1586–1593)
• Anne de La Châtre de Maisonfort (1593–1605)
• Françoise I de La Châtre de Maisonfort (1605–1643)
• Jeanne VII Anne de Plas (1643–1677)
• Marie IV Thérèse-Constance du Blé d’Uxelles (1677–1685)
• Marie V Anne-Généreuse-Constance de Beringhen d’Armainvilliers (1685–1721)
• Louise II Charlotte-Eugènie-Victoire de Beringhen d’Armainvilliers (1721–1726)
• Olympe-Félicité-Sophie-Fare de Beringhen d’Armainvilliers (1726–1743)
• Françoise II Catherine Molé de Champlâtreux (1743–1745)
• Marie Renée de Maupeou (1745–1759)
• Charlotte-Julie Lenormant des Forts d’Etiolles (1759–1775)
• Claude de Durfort de Léobard (1775–1791)