The abbey had been lying dormant for over 150 years… Would it disappear for evermore?
In response to this question, two friends answered “No!” and decided “Tomorrow, we’ll get to work!”. Soon, they had gathered an army of volunteers.
THE ASSOCIATION
Manual labour
Scouts, farmers, youth volunteers and local businesses tackled the initial cleaning and clearing work. Thus the Association des Compagnons de L’abbaye de Bon-Repos was created in 1986. The associated signed a 99-year emphyteutic lease agreement with the abbey’s owner, Madame Le Cour Grandmaison.
Project management
LThis sleeping beauty was finally awakened! These early and promising efforts were very soon rewarded, in 1988, when the association won second place in the “Chefs-d’œuvre en péril” awards, presented by the French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang.
Would this impetus suffice?
In 1989, a feasibility study conducted by Charles Perrot, chief architect of historic monuments, led to the development of a vast restoration programme.
No less than €3.5 million of work was carried out by the association, through cross-funding (municipalities, department, region, French State, Europe, own funds…).
The abbey comes to life
Contemporary art in the spotlight!
The Association des Compagnons de l’abbaye de Bon-Repos not only restored the abbey, it also instilled it with modernity.
The population continues to be fully invested in this adventure by taking part in artist residences.
Building “Oliphant”, a work of art by Andries Botha, during the Symposium de sculptures in 2008
Visitors discover “Diabulatoire”, by Jean-Marc Nicolas, produced for Atmosphères in 2006
Bon-Repos Abbey: “Art experiences, history experiences”
Today, the project continues to align with the values upheld by the association for many years: solidarity, engagement, sharing, artistic and cultural diversity, dissemination and innovation.
Through a rich cultural programme, in harmony with the site, the association seeks to be firmly rooted in its local environment while being widely accessible.
