Saint-Wandrille Abbey

The abbey was founded in 649 by Saint Wandregisel, also known as Saint Wandrille. He was a Frankish nobleman who chose a life of religious asceticism in the Normandy countryside. His foundation became one of the oldest and most enduring monastic sites in the region.

Yes, despite centuries of destruction, revolution, and exile, a community of Benedictine monks returned to the abbey in the 20th century. They restored the ruined buildings and re-established the traditional monastic liturgy. Today, it is a thriving religious community that continues to chant the Divine Office daily.

Like most French monasteries, the abbey was suppressed and its monks were expelled during the French Revolution. The magnificent Gothic abbey church was subsequently destroyed and left in ruins. The remaining structures were used for secular purposes, including a cheese factory, until the monks returned in 1931.

Visitors can explore the stunning 18th-century monastic buildings that surround the grounds, as well as the atmospheric ruins of the massive Gothic church. The monks also operate a shop where they sell their own monastic products, including honey and the famous "Bénédictine" liqueur. The site offers a fascinating mix of medieval ruins and active religious life.