Founded in the 9C and pillaged by the Normans in 878, this abbey was rebuilt in the 11C in record time. Although the conventual buildings are more recent (17C), the rest of the abbey is original. A handsome blend of harmony and sobriety, the abbey church is striking for its sheer size (76m long with a 31m-long transept and a spire rising to 77m). The Romanesque structure houses a remarkable series of wall paintings dating from 1080-1110, now on UNESCO's World Heritage List.