SAINT PHILIBERT
The proposed way from western to eastern France recalls St Philibert's life and foudings. It also shows the importance of the worship of his relics and the memory of their peregrination.
a companion of king Dagobert and friend of Eloi (St Eloi ) and Dadon (St Ouen ), played an important part in the monastic life of Merovingian Gaul. He founded Jumièges Abbey in 654 and Noirmoutier Monastery in 677 where he died (August the 20 th, 685).
Soon after his death, worshipping his relics became widespread. Around 819, the Island of Hero (Noirmoutier) bearing the brunt of the Norse attacks, the monsks took the relics to Déas Priory (Saint-Philbert-de-grand-lieu), then to Cunault in Anjou, then to Poitou, then to Auvergne (Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule), and ultimately to Tournus, in 875, in Saint Valérien Monastery- later on called St Philibert de Tournus. This Abbey spread its authority over numerous priories and St Philibert became the Patron Saint of many churches and chapels, from Britanny to Provence.