The Benedictine abbey of Lonlay l'Abbaye was founded in the 11th century by Guillaume 1er (William the 1st) of Belleme.
The abbey and the village sit in a long valley (Lonlay) along the western route to the coast and Mont St. Michel. If you read French, you may wish to peruse this 19th century history of Lonlay l'Abbaye: http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k143711v.r |
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See video below for amazing footage of Lonlay l'Abbaye and surrounding towns in the closing days of World War II:
The photo below was taken soon after the end of WW II. Lonlay l'Abbaye sustained collateral bombing damage and some direct destruction by German troops because the villagers had assisted and welcomed American troops.