The convent of the Order of the Most Holy Annunciation, located in the middle of Saint-Amour, was founded in 1621. Facing mainly east-west and extending over nearly 5,930 m², the property is mostly enclosed by walls, while the buildings themselves feature a combined floor area of approximately 1,026 m², in addition to their attic levels (providing approximately 226 m² of extra floor space) and a cellar of about 137 m².
Having undergone a significant construction campaign during the 18th century, which resulted, specifically, in the extensions surrounding the cloister, as well as the destruction of the chapel (except for its choir, still standing today) and the cloister’s southern wing, today, the convent is made up of two 18th-century three-storey buildings, each with their own attic level. Featuring arcaded galleries topped with ribbed vaults that frame either side of the cloister’s courtyard, the latter blends in seamlessly with the adjacent grounds, where an orchard once stood.
Listed as a regional historical monument since 7 June 2013, the convent features traditional gable, three-sided or hipped roofs, topped with either flat, barrel or interlocking tiles, as well as stone walls, partially covered in roughcast rendering, and rectilinear windows, some of which are safeguarded by louvred shutters, while their window/door surrounds, arcades and quoins are in ashlar stone.

The East Building

The ground floor
An arcaded gallery with seven arches, giving on to the courtyard of the former cloister, provides a pleasant place to stroll around its periphery, while still remaining protected from the elements. Under one of the arches, a wooden door opens on to an initial room, of approximately 34 m², which communicates with the choir in the former chapel, featuring a floor area of nearly 104 m², moulded ribbed vaults, narrow-plank hardwood floors, walls clad in wainscoting, as well as understated, clear stained glass windows, surrounded by scarlet red panes, which bathe this immense space in abundant sunlight.
The first floor
With a total floor area of 89 m², the first floor, formerly used for classrooms, offers interesting potential for a wide range of uses, once it has undergone a complete renovation.
The second floor
Once a dormitory for boarders when the building was used as a school, this floor features two adjacent rooms, with approximately 16 m² and 114 m², respectively, in need of a full restoration.
The attic
With a floor area of approximately 38 m², this level is not convertible.

The West Building

The ground floor
Perfectly symmetrical with its eastern counterpart, directly opposite, the western building also features a magnificent arcade with seven arches giving on to the former cloister’s courtyard. From here, a door opens on to a hallway, which communicates with five adjacent rooms: three refectories, with approximately 19 m², 45 m² and 67 m², respectively, a former kitchen and a classroom, each with a little more than 17 m².
As for the large vaulted room, of approximately 67 m², it features a magnificent fireplace with a stone mantelpiece, a moulded base, sculpted capitals, a brick hearth and an ornate cast-iron fireplace plate, while its imposing lintel, also moulded, is decorated with a sculpted sacred heart set within a crown of thorns, itself surrounded by a “Lover’s knot” motif and framed by the following inscription: “Given the world’s inequality, whomever dwells in this heart will find everlasting peace”.
The first floor
Accessible via an extraordinary stone staircase and once used for classrooms, the first floor contains a hallway that leads to a bathroom on the left, of nearly 17 m², followed by a room of about 70 m² as well as another immense room, of approximately 142 m².
The second floor
The last inhabitable floor in this building, accessible via the same stone staircase, was once a former dormitory, divided into three rooms, with approximately 43 m², 64 m² and 142 m², respectively, while a wall niche, located on the last flight of stairs leading to the attic, provides an additional touch of charm to the premises.
The attic
This level features a floor area of approximately 188 m², solid wooden rafters in good condition as well as original rectangular terracotta floor tiles.