Perched on the banks of the Moselle River, the Premonstratensian Abbey rises majestically in the heart of the town of Pont-à-Mousson. With its grandeur and architecture, this abbey embodies the doctrine of the Premonstratensian canons, honoring God with the richness and opulence of its Baroque language.
1705
Thomas Mordillac and Nicolas Pierson
It is at this date that construction begins on this abbey, replacing an older abbey, under the reign of Duke of Lorraine Leopold I. Designed by architects Thomas Mordillac (1650/60 - 1721) and then Nicolas Pierson (1692 - 1765), it demonstrates the power and influence of this monastic order capable of building such a vessel internally. Indeed, both designers were Premonstratensian themselves. The construction was completed in 1735.
The ravages of time.
Under fire
Victim of a fire in 1771, of the expulsion of the monks during the revolution in 1792, the abbey became the seat of the small diocesan seminary and a wartime hospital in the 19th century and during the two world wars. It was in September 1944 that it experienced its most difficult moments when it was bombed by General Patton, leading to the liberation of Pont-à-Mousson. Following this event, the abbey was left abandoned and faced the threat of demolition until a massive mobilization of locals and individuals dedicated to this historically significant site in the 1950s.
1964
The association dedicated to the place.
This mobilization resulted in the creation of a management association, which has been responsible for the maintenance and activities within the monument to this day. The association ensures the sustainability of the site through a continuous program of cultural events, the organization and rental of seminar spaces for businesses, as well as weddings and other private celebrations. A 3-star hotel with 70 rooms further complements the economic activity of the building.
The sustainability of the historic site ensured by the cultural center association is a good example of the economic exploitation possible in such a building. However, it is the particular structural scheme put in place since the reconstruction of the site that allows for economic viability: public ownership (by the city), restoration and conservation work financed through dedicated grants. This is a significant burden lifted from the management association, which consists of a team of 35 people, ensuring maintenance and the implementation of economic activities. Although the issue of ecology remains unknown here, the other aspects of cultural, economic, and social sustainability are largely covered by the activities of the Cultural Center.
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