“How beautiful France is!” Who has not had this thought, on the occasion of a trip to a neighboring region, far from the daily grind? We chose twenty destinations – we had to limit ourselves! –where the pleasure of tourist stays meets spiritual retreats. Because the beauty of landscapes, monuments and, why not, cultural and gastronomic traditions, is not unrelated to this other beauty, plenitude, which radiates from a spiritually nourished heart. This cannot be commanded, but there are places where it flourishes. You can stay there for a weekend, a few days or for a walk.
Hauts-de-France
Notre Dame Abbey (Chiry-Ourscamp, Oise)
On the edge of the forest, the community of Servants of Jesus and Mary lives on the site of a 13th century abbey. with majestic ruins. Among their spiritual proposals, “apicolo-spi” weekends, where training in hive care is an opportunity to elevate one’s soul! Beautiful sung liturgy. The forest calls for a walk.
Information: 03 44 75 72 00; servants.org
Ile-de-France
Notre Dame Abbey (Jouarre, Seine-et-Marne)
Fourteen centuries of monastic life have left monuments in Jouarre (Merovingian crypt, Romanesque tower, abbey church) and above all a community of Benedictine nuns, near Paris, where it is good to take a breather. From Jouarre, you can bring back delicious jams (made at the abbey) or a farm brie from Ganot, the last refiner in the town.
Information: 01 60 22 84 18; abbeyjouarre.org
Great East
Our Lady of Dusenbach (Ribeauville, Haut-Rhin)
From Ribeauvillé, a 7km loop passing by the castle of Haut-Ribeaupierre and Notre-Dame de Dusenbach allows you to discover this high place of pilgrimage since 1204. A mass and a Marian office are celebrated there on Sundays. At the shelter of the pilgrims, restaurants and hotels are managed by the Capuchin friars. On May 1, pilgrimage to Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix.
Information: 03 89 73 64 12.
Burgundy Franche-Comte
Ronchamp (Ronchamp, Haute-Saône)
The hill of Ronchamp is a spiritual high place, magnified today by two masterpieces of contemporary architects: the chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Haut and the convent of the Poor Clares. They welcome visitors with great openness.
Information: 03 84 63 13 40; clarisses-a-ronchamp.fr
St. Clare Monastery (Poligny, Jura)
Poligny is famous for its county and the wines of the Jura, but the town also conceals about fifteen historical monuments (signposted route), including the convent of the Poor Clares. Many couples wishing to have children come here to pray to Saint Colette (15th century).
Information: 03 84 37 11 40; clarisses.eglisejura.com
Auvergne-Rhones-Alpes
Sanctuary of Ars (Ars-sur-Formans, Ain)
Ars became famous for its “holy priest” Jean-Marie Vianney (1786-1859). You can combine a walk on the path of the Curé d’Ars (16km, departing from Montmerle-sur-Saône) and a visit to the sanctuary (basilica, wax museum). Welcome to the beautiful house of La Providence.
Information: 04 74 08 17 17; arsnet.org
Our Lady of the Hermitage (Noiretable, Loire)
Perched at an altitude of 1,110m, in the heart of green-black fir forests, the vast Marian sanctuary commemorates the story of a great sinner “returned” by the Virgin in the 12th century. The nuns provide room and board, allowing a change of scenery in the open air. The various places of pilgrimage – chapels, springs, rocks – are an opportunity for a walk of a few kilometers offering superb views of Forez and Auvergne.
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Information: 04 77 96 20 30; diocese-saintetienne.fr / Notre-Dame-de-l-Hermitage-a-.html
La Pomarede spiritual center (Paulhenc, Cantal)
It is to recharge your batteries that you come to this comfortable and modern place where silence is privileged. The sumptuous nature – paths in the forest, view of the peaceful waters of the lake of the Sarrans dam – already constitutes a preaching.
Information: 04 71 23 61 61; la-pomarede.cef.fr
Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great (Saint-Laurent-en-Royans, Drôme)
Nestled in a wild combe in the Vercors, this small monastery is the place to soak up Orthodox spirituality, through the architecture of the Byzantine church and its 600m² of interior murals. Guided tour possible from May (see website). Hotel-restaurant nearby, at Col de la Machine.
Information: 04 75 47 72 02; monasteresaintantoine.fr
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Notre Dame Abbey (Ganagobia, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)
“Here, man and Creation have signed a pact of love and beauty,” write the Benedictine monks living on this balcony overlooking the Durance valley. Visit of the Romanesque church and its mosaic (3 to 5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday). Check in advance the availability of rooms in the monastic hostelry for a stay. Hiking trails nearby.
Information: 04 92 68 00 04; https://www.abbaye-ganagobie.com/
Abbey of Lérins (Saint-Honorat Island, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes)
An oasis of calm and greenery, fifteen minutes from Cannes by sea shuttle. Day visitors can discover the fortified monastery, walk around the island (3km), and attend the offices celebrated by the Cistercian monks.
Information: 04 92 99 54 00; abbeydelerins.com
Priory of Notre-Dame-des-Champs (Arles, Bouches-du-Rhone)
A stone’s throw from Arles, its archaeological museum, its arenas and its Roman theatre, the priory of Bouchaud occupies a beautiful set of 18th century buildings, in the middle of the vineyards and rice fields of the Petite Camargue. The monks of the community take it to heart to welcome their guests “as if they were Christ himself”.
Information: 04 90 47 21 30; prieurebouchaud.com
Corsica
St. Francis Convent (Vico, Corsica)
The Saint-François convent has stood since the 15th century. on the slopes of Mount Rotondo, 14km from the sea. The region offers many walks in magnificent landscapes. The religious (Oblates of Mary Immaculate) make rooms available to individuals, as well as a kitchen and a dining room on the ground floor. Restaurants in the village. Mass on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
Information: 04 95 26 83 83; couventdevico.fr
Occitania
Abbey of Sylvanès (Sylvanes, Aveyron)
The faithful come from all over Europe for the great liturgical feasts at Sylvanès, in particular the offices of Holy Week and Easter. Many walks, including the “loop of Sylvanès” (10.8 km) starting from the abbey, which passes through a Russian chapel in the Orthodox style. For accommodation, contact the Camarès tourist office.
Information: 05 65 98 20 20; sylvanes.com
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Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa Abbey (Codalet, Pyrenees-Orientales)
In Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa, take a guided tour to discover all the riches of this masterpiece of Romanesque art. Until the end of May, you can contemplate a garden of irises in bloom (500 varieties). The Benedictine community celebrates services in the abbey church or in the oratory of the monastery. To do: the Tour of the abbey, from the town hall of Codalet (7km).
Information: 04 68 96 15 35; abbey-cuxa.com
New Aquitaine
Annunciation Monastery (Prailles, Deux-Sevres)
In peaceful countryside, within reach of the TGV (stop at Saint-Maixent), the Benedictines of Prailles keep watch. At the dawn of Easter, Catholics and Protestants converge on the monastery by several routes, then celebrate a service of praise, before a good breakfast.
Information: 05 49 32 69 81; benedictines-prailles.fr
Brittany
Abbey of Rhuys (Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys, Morbihan)
This former 6th century abbey. has become a cultural and spiritual center, where the Sisters of Charity of Saint-Louis offer stays. Cure of serenity assured, 200m from the wild coast. Many walks by the sea and spiritual program à la carte. The church is one of the most beautiful Romanesque sanctuaries in Brittany.
Information: 02 97 45 23 10; abbey-of-rhuys.fr
Pays de la Loire
Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Solesmes (Solesmes, Sarthe)
The abbey is a center of Gregorian chant. On request, one can meet a monk. On the afternoon of Easter Monday, they venerate the Holy Thorn, a relic of the crown of thorns. In the shop, you can buy the gingerbread made by the monks. 7km away, the beautiful village of Asnières-sur-Vègre, famous for the mural paintings (12th-16th centuries) in its church. For accommodation, contact the Sablé-sur-Sarthe tourist office.
Information: 02 43 95 03 08
Normandy
Saint-Wandrille Abbey (Saint-Wandrille-Rançon, Seine-Maritime)
On the road to the Norman abbeys, the remains of the former abbey church of Saint-Wandrille and the current church are open to the public (guided tours from March 21). Services in Gregorian, especially Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Gîtes and bed and breakfasts in the town. At the shop of the Benedictine abbey, there is the famous beer of Saint-Wandrille.
Information: 02 35 96 23 11; st-wandrille.com
Abbey of Saint-Martin de Mondaye (Juaye-Mondaye, Calvados)
The Mondaye Premonstratensian community offers one-day retreats (Thursdays March 2, April 27 and May 18) and cultural and spiritual sessions. Visits to the abbey on Sundays. Accommodation possible at the hotel.
Information: 02 31 92 58 11; mondaye.com
>>> Also read on Lepelerin.com our guide to spiritual holidays <<<