Founded before 1109, cistercian and the 63rd daughter
     of Clairvaux, the Abbey Notre-Dame of Moreilles was
      à the first to drain and cultivate this land which became
       the Poitevin Marsh.The canal of Bot Neuf was dug in
         1119. Called " the Pearl of the Marsh ",
          the rich abbey was plundered and destroyed
          during the Religious War.

          During the XVIIth century, after he left the bishopric of
          Luçon, , Richelieu became the general abbot
         of Moreilles. At the same time he started to win
        power and fortune.
       à In 1635 he had to exchange Moreilles in a three parts
      deal : he gave Moreilles to his successor in Luçon,
    Emery de Bragelogne, who gave to Pierre de Nivelle his
  bishopric, the last one offered to Richelieu the title
of general abbot of Cîteaux, meaning of the cistercian order.

Armand Jean du Plessis Cardinal of Richelieu,
About the Abbaye Notre-Dame of Moreilles