The abbey, a daughter house of Escaladieu (Hautes-Pyrénées), was founded in 1151 and rapidly prospered thanks to the magnanimity of the lords of the region. But it suffered during the French Wars of Religion and revolutionary troubles. After a fire almost destroyed the building in 1970, it was bought by the Gers General Council, which decided to establish a cultural centre here, and was then restored. Although conducive to reflection and meditation, the simple and austere décor has a certain grandeur.