Founded in 1142 as a priory of the Order of Fontevraud, Boulaur was emptied in 1903 and left to decay for nearly fifty years before Cistercian nuns bought it in 1949. They have been restoring it ever since and it is open to visitors. Its abbey church was chosen as the Gers site of the Mission Patrimoine for 2026.
What it needs
The church bell tower is leaking badly: a buttress is crumbling, plants are growing on the tower and the stained glass lets wind and rain into the choir. The planned work covers waterproofing, masonry, the belfry, a full new roof and repair of the elevations, buttresses and windows.
Before you act. This entry covers the church bell tower only. The nuns run a separate building project, Grange 21, with its own donation links on their site.
The Définitoire was damaged by fire in the 19th century, is largely disused and is described by the Fondation du patrimoine as in a state of peril; walls and roof come first. Once saved it is to house a study and research center holding the archives of the order, plus exhibition space. Works began in March 2025 and the donation drive is under half way to its target.
On the morning of 2 November 2025 a fire gutted the main building, leaving only walls and a few vaults and destroying the original timber roof and painted beams. The owners first need to protect the exposed masonry, then rebuild frame and roof. Insurance is capped, so the Fondation du patrimoine opened an emergency collection.
