Flaran Abbey Art and history museum accessible to the whole family in Valence-sur-Baïse

FLARAN ABBEY, DEPARTMENTAL HERITAGE CENTER

Founded in 1151 in the Baïse Valley, south of Condom, on the Agen-Auch axis. Benefiting from an exceptional and preserved setting, the Cistercian abbey of Flaran (12th-18th centuries) is one of the best preserved in the Southwest of France (site, buildings and gardens classified as Historic Monuments).

The monastic buildings and gardens located in the heart of an immense park, therefore present a particular legibility, perfect and attractive illustration of a Cistercian ensemble which appeared in the 12th century and was remodeled until the 18th century.
Around the cloister (12th-14th century) and the Church (12th-13th century), this astonishingly preserved complex covers more than 2,000 m² and provides a unique insight into the life of the Cistercian community established here, in the heart of the Middle Ages, at the height of the order's prosperity.

Since 2000, the abbey has housed the Departmental Conservation of Heritage and Museums/Flaran, a service of the Gers Departmental Council. This organization develops, throughout the year, numerous cultural events (exhibitions, concerts, conferences, training courses and shows, etc.) that interest all areas of heritage and artistic creation, from archaeology to contemporary art.

The service, which also ensures the scientific management of the Gers network of sites and "Museums of France", aims to participate in the cultural irrigation of the territory, notably around the famous "Simonow" collection (named after its custodian), an exceptional collection of illustrious artists from the 16th to the 21st century.

A pivotal part of the cultural policy voted by the Departmental Assembly and the most visited public site in Gers, Flaran Abbey is the subject of a multi-year development project led by the owner community. As such, it benefits from the regional label "Grand Site d'Occitanie", under the name "Armagnac, Abbey and Cities"