A Benedictine Congregation in France, an offshoot of the reformed Congregation of Saint-Vannes, became independent, 1618, as the Congregation of Saint Maur, with the approval of Louis XIII and Cardinals de Retz and Richelieu; and sanctioned by Popes Gregory XV, 1621, and Urban VIII, 1627. Before 1800 there were over 180 monasteries, the congregation being divided into six provinces: France, Normandy, Brittany, Burgundy, Chezal-Benoit, and Gascony. They conducted schools, and learned scholars, such as Luc d' Achery, Jean Mabillon, Thierry, Ruinart, Pierre Coustant, Antoine Rivet de la Grange, etc., were attracted to its ranks and produced great works. The Maurists were suppressed by the French Revolution; an attempt to restore them in 1817, being disapproved by the Holy See, the congregation ceased to exist.