The abbey was founded in the 12th century by Cistercian monks and modified in the 17th and 18th centuries. The choice of the place is not a coincidence: the presence of water is fundamental to create the canals and fishponds. The building is typical of Cistercian architecture and respects the humility and sobriety of this order. For a moment, you can imagine the monks walking around the cloister, which has now disappeared. The chapter house is particularly peaceful for me. The building was partly dismantled during the Revolution, with plans to move it to St-Antonin.
In 1953, art collectors Geneviève Bonnefoi and Pierre Brache discovered the abbey in a dilapidated state. After extensive restoration work, the art centre was inaugurated in 1970.
In 2022, the building was given a new lease of life thanks to a three-year renovation, which included access to the monks' dormitory wing, previously closed to the public.
The history of the place is explained in the museum by means of interactive devices.