Ferdinand Gilibert square

The « place de la Grotte &racuos; (Grotto) was renamed place Ferdinand Gilibert. Its name is derived from an underground chapel where the sick were examined. It was surrounded by the Abbey commons and outbuildings and the old chapel of Notre Dame (Our Lady), whose frontage and gatehouse remain. The Abbey gatehouse was built between 1657 and 1658 on a part of what was originally the Great Hospital. This gate was the border post between the village and the Abbey. It is composed of a central structure flanked by two pavilions. It was accomodation for the Abbey gatekeeper on the ground floor and the first floor rooms were occupied by the bursar who took charge of outside affairs.