Abbaye de Saint-Ferme - Gironde, France

The impressive abbey of Saint-Ferme, which overlooks the ancient town, is one of Aquitaine's largest Benedictine establishments.  In 1080, the Bishop of Bazas gifted it to the monks of the abbey of Saint- Florent de Saumur, who were given the responsibility of restoring order there.   The abbey of Saint-Florent de Saumur, who were given the responsibility of restoring order there.  The abbey enjoyed considerable prosperity in the 12th and 13th centuries, but was laid waste during the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion.  Nonetheless, its abbey church (a Historical monument) still  bears monumental) still bears monumental witness to its glory days in the mid-12th century.
Its vaulted chevet contains three tangential apses dating back to the first half of the 12th century.   The transept with regular crossing is crowned bya domed vault, one of Gironde's earliest examples of Gothic vaulting and dating back to the second half of the 12th century.    The nave was destroyed in the 17th century and rebuilt following the original design, as was the western facade.   The remarkable sculpture work concentrated in the chever is one of the department's finest Romanasque accomplishments, and was the creation of a sculptors' workshop overseen by the "Master of Saint-Ferme"  capitals of the north abssidiole entrance arch (Daniel in  the lions' den and David battle with Goliat