There is a legend that the prior, who had given up all hope of finishing the church, received a visit from the Devil, who offered to finish the building for him, on condition that he should have the soul of the first Christian who crossed the threshold of the completed church.
SHELTER, NAMED AFTER FRENCH OFFICER WHO FELL THERE IN 1915
The prior having refused this offer, the Devil scattered in all directions the houses which had until then been grouped around the monastery, and reduced to dust the blocks of “gaize” in the quarries.
Since that time the houses have remained scattered, and there are no more blocks of “gaize” to be found in the neighbourhood.
This legend is doubtless a naïve explanation of natural phenomena, “gaize” being a silicious clay peculiar to the district.
The Abbot’s house in the enclosure is in ruins. South of the church, monastic buildings, probably erected in the 17th century, are still standing, though in a dilapidated condition.