Un bateau pour une Île. Reflexions sur la metaphore de l'Arche de Noé dans la Vita sancti hugonis abbatis de Gilon

In late antiquity, the island is a vivid picture of the monastery, separated from the world and protected by the sea. The ship is a kind of island movement, strictly separated as in the world. The image of the monastery-island was sometimes used for continental monasteries, such as Saint-Michel Cuixà. The image of the monastery-Noah’s Ark, mentioned in the Life of St. Cesare d'Arles, was included in the Life of Hugh of Semur by Gilon about Cluny and Marcigny first female Cluniac priory. Together they form the Noah’s Ark saving creatures of both sexes from destruction by the waves.