4th century In the late 4th century, Jovinus (), hailing from a wealthy family in
Mouterre-Silly near
Loudun, sought solitude in the forests of the region with a small group of disciples. His brother,
Saint Maximin, was among the first
archbishops of Trier. According to tradition, around 342, Jovinus established an oratory near Ensio. This oratory evolved into a monastery, initially named Ension, which later became Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes. Following the foundation of
Ligugé Abbey by Saint
Martin of Tours in 361, it became the second oldest monastery in France. Jovinus' preaching and benevolence led to his veneration, with his relics preserved in the monastery's Carolingian-era church.
6th century In the 6th century,
Felix of Nantes, bishop of Nantes, urged Martin of Vertou to evangelize southern parts of his diocese and Poitou. Martin arrived at Ension, where he found an established monastic community and introduced the
Rule of Saint Benedict to guide the monks' way of life.
8th century During the wars between
Pepin the Short,
Charlemagne, and
Hunald I, Duke of Aquitaine, in the late 8th century, the monks fled the monastery due to conflicts in the region.
9th century The abbey escaped destruction during the Viking invasions of the early 9th century due to its inland location, away from navigable rivers. It became a cultural hub in Upper Poitou, offering refuge to monks from other monasteries, such as the abbey of Saint
Martin of Vertou, who brought relics with them. In 843, after the Vikings withdrew due to
Louis the Pious, the monks revitalized the monastery, reinstating the Rule of Saint Benedict. By 878, the Carolingian church was rebuilt, attracting pilgrims whose donations bolstered the abbey's prosperity.
11th century Located along the
Via Turonensis, a major pilgrimage route to
Santiago de Compostela, the abbey saw a surge in pilgrims during the 11th century, outgrowing its Carolingian church. Construction of a new abbey church began in 1095 under Raoul de La Futaie, a monk and reformer, and was completed by 1130, reflecting the abbey's growing wealth and influence.
12th century In 1100, Raoul became abbot, overseeing the completion of the abbey church by 1130. Its grand proportions and artistic features symbolized the abbey's prosperity. By 1179, the abbey held jurisdiction over 127 churches and their communities, establishing churches in
Saint-Sébastien-sur-Loire,
Nantes,
Vertou, and
Les Moutiers-en-Retz.
13th century The Romanesque barrel vaults of the nave and choir were replaced with Angevin Gothic vaults. Structural issues in the southeast choir area led to the addition of unsightly pillars to prevent collapse, altering the choir's harmonious proportions.
14th and 15th centuries During the
Hundred Years' War, the region fell under English control between 1369 and 1374. In 1372, the English added a small bell tower to the south tower. Fortifications were expanded, including an elevated southern transept with machicolations and a large spiral staircase for defensive purposes. The abbey withstood attacks, and the region was reclaimed by
Bertrand du Guesclin in the 1370s. In 1422, fortifications were further strengthened but sustained significant damage. The monastery was restored in 1447, and in 1467, Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes became a market town. In 1476, Pierre III d'Amboise rebuilt the monastery and cloister, though only the southern cloister gallery survives today.
16th century The
French Wars of Religion (1562–1598) devastated the abbey. In February 1568, Protestant cavalry en route to the
Battle of Moncontour looted and burned the monastery, destroying Saint Jovinus' relics. Further looting occurred in 1569.
17th century In 1655, the monks joined the
Congregation of Saint-Maur, ushering in a period of prosperity. The abbey expanded northwest of the church, housing a painting school.
18th century Monastic life had declined by the mid-18th century. In 1755, the old conventual buildings were demolished and rebuilt, but the abbey lost its independence, falling under Amboise's administration. By 1770, it was largely abandoned. The
French Revolution of 1789 ended monastic life, and the abbey was sold as national property, though the church was spared demolition and returned to worship in 1795.
19th century In the mid-19th century,
Prosper Mérimée found the abbey in poor condition. His advocacy led to its preservation, and in 1862, the abbey church was designated a
monument historique. Paintings, bells, and choir stalls also received protected status.
20th and 21st centuries Restoration, often interrupted, concluded in the mid-20th century. Today, the abbey church, southern cloister gallery, and private convent building remain well-preserved, reflecting its historical spiritual and economic significance. The former presbytery was listed as a historic monument on January 23, 2017. == Architecture ==