► Providence Spiritual Center of La Pommeraye
Between Angers and Nantes, the Spiritual Center of La Pommeraye accommodates any group or person looking for a restful place. Founded in 1825 by Marie Moreau (Sister Marie Joseph), this community of Carmelite spirituality offers many activities during school holidays. Five nuns are more particularly at the service of the center: animation of times of liturgical prayer, retreats, spiritual accompaniment…
Website : https://www.providencepommeraye.fr
► Notre-Dame-des-Gardes Abbey
In 1818, ten nuns led by Dom Augustin de Lestrange arrived at a place called “Les-Gardes”, near Cholet. At the abbey, the hotel welcomes the stay of those who, alone or as a couple, wish to get closer to God. Groups are welcome, an autonomous building is specially dedicated to their accommodation.
The retreatants are free to participate in the daily prayers punctuating the day of the twenty or so sisters. It is possible to share meals in silence with the community, to recharge one’s batteries in the library, in the hotel garden, to talk with a sister or to walk the surrounding hiking trails.
Website : https://www.abbayedesgardes.fr
► Good Shepherd Spiritual Center
This former Indian fabric factory in Angers, transformed in the 19th century, houses the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, around two chapels, one in Roman style, the other housing the tomb of the foundress. The spiritual center welcomes all audiences, lay and religious, individuals and groups, for family and professional events. The hotel offers guests a starting point for hiking or cycling.
Website : https://bonpasteur-hostellerie.org/
► Béhuard Diocesan House
On an island in the middle of the Loire, located 20 km south-west of Angers, the sanctuary of Béhuard, built in the 16th century by Louis XI, is now entirely dedicated to Mary. The diocesan house and the Marian shrine have been entrusted, since 2019, to the joint pastoral care of a priest and a Catholic family. The reception of religious, lay people, in groups or individually, is possible for anyone wishing to experience a period of healing or rest. Four halls, with a capacity of 150 to 1,500 people, receive celebrations and other events near the domain.
Website : http://www.behuard.mairie49.fr/maison-diocesaine
► Our Lady of Compassions Monastery
It was in 1961 that Benedictine sisters settled in the Notre-Dame de Compassion monastery in La Barre, a place 30 kilometers from Saumur. The community welcomes students, groups and anyone wishing to recharge their batteries in silence. The hosts, integrated into the community, live in an atmosphere of recollection to the rhythm of prayer and shared meals. Guests who so wish can request the accompaniment of a nun to confide in and obtain spiritual support. The community, concerned about the environment, has a garden inspired by sustainable development.
Visit to Maine-et-Loire: 5 ideas for spiritual retreats to do between Nantes and Angers