Conques Abbey
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| In
the middle of the WIIIth century, Dadon, an hermit, settled
in this valley where he rebuilt an old ruined oratory. Sevral men met him to live
taking him as a model and they foun Conques abbey. A "golden legend"
was created by the monks to explain this abbey foundation. |
| Conques in 1834 |
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|
 drawing by Pernot |
 drawing by Pernot |
 Ste Foy 12 years old
Vaylet Museum- Espalion |
Born
near 290 in Agen, she was martyred in 303 by the proconsul Dacien. After a torture
with a grill where a miracle saved her, she was beheaded with her companions.
Her relics were kept in Agen till the IXth century, and then they were brought
to Conques by a monk who robbed them. This theft was officially called "furtive
translation". The reputation of the abbey was provided by strange wooden reliquary
statue called "Ste Foy's Majesty", covered by leaves of gold and inlayed with
gems and by a long poem written near the middle of XIth century, with verses of
the langue d'oc called "Ste Foy's Song".
|
 " Ste Foy Majesty" Treasure of Conques |
 drawing by Chapuis (1833) |
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