The Priory of Relay, former dependence of the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, is located on the right bank of the Indre, in the extreme north of the
municipality of Pont-de-ruan, township of Montbazon, borough of
Tours, department of Indre-et-Loire (37). It is accessible by road
751 which connects Tours to Chinon. It is then accessed by
the road linking Druye to Saché, for about 2.5 km. The priory is at the end
a dirt road, at the bottom of a valley, at the southern edge of the
villandry forest.
the Priory of Relay, more than 800 years after its foundation,
of time and of men.
This is why the Relay Priory Conservation Association was created. It is a cultural association governed by the law of July 1, 1901.
The association and each of its members will keep in mind that heritage is a precious asset that must be passed on to future generations. As its name suggests, the Association pour la Sauvegarde du Prieuré de Relay is an association for the preservation of heritage. Its primary goal is the conservation, restoration and enhancement of its exceptional buildings. The priory is one of the few monastic monuments that have survived almost completely in Touraine. Many of its buildings are in ruins and some have even completely disappeared, but there are still a number of remarkable buildings that have unfortunately lacked maintenance over the centuries. The oldest of these buildings is the Church of Our Lady of Relay, consecrated in 1119 by Pope Calixtus II. Cut in two during the Revolution, converted into a barn and stable, the church requires a complete interior and exterior restoration. During the last storm, Storm Xynthia, the roof suffered particularly. This trefoil church, a rarity in the region, deserves to regain its role as a place of worship. It has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1930, as has the monumental portal, a magnificent 17th century portal. He also suffered from the Revolution because he lost his coat of arms. The third main building on which the association wishes to intervene is the dovecote, called fuye en Touraine. The latter, of the eighteenth century still has all its boulins but unfortunately was very damaged during the Revolution. In 2003, it opened following a series of climate incidents. Consolidated in an emergency, it requires significant restoration, especially in the restitution of its coronation. The large vaulted cellars in ashlar also threaten with collapse.
For buildings in ruins, the complete restoration is considerable and therefore impossible for lack of plans and historical evidence. The role of the ASPR for the latter is a conservation and maintenance role.
For this, the association will use all the means and resources at its disposal, namely, the financial means and the human means, not the least, which will be a precious resource in the accomplishment of its goal. The work is considerable, and we will need all positive and voluntary energies.