Florennes Abbey: Overall view, remains of the abbey farm

Gerard of Florennes (ca. 975, bishop 1012-1051), bishop of Cambrai as Gerard I, founded the Abbey of Saint-Jean at Florennes, with the monastic reformer Richard of Verdun, abbot of Saint-Vanne, as its first abbot. In 1015, Gerard transferred the abbey to the church of Li\u00E8ge, so that it served the diocese of Liege and Namur, also drawing together a community of monks from Verdun. The abbey was at the edge of Florennes, closer to the village of Saint-Aubin. All that remains of the abbey is the farm buildings, constructed in a U shape, the wings enclosing a vast square court, partially paved. In the northeastern corner is a turret dated ca. 1675 built out of bricks and blue stone, surmounted with battlements.