Abbey of Saint-Victor, Paris

The Abbey of Saint-Victor began in eleven oh eight, when William of Champeaux, the Archdeacon of Paris, retreated to a small hermitage. His decision to leave his post drew followers including Peter Abelard to this spot, and the community soon grew into a celebrated center of medieval theology and philosophy. It eventually became one of the most significant schools in Europe, forming part of the foundation for the University of Paris.