Abbaye Sainte Trinité de La Lucerne

Nestled in Normandie, near Mont-Saint-Michel, Abbaye de La Lucerne is a privileged place for a spiritual retreat in a peaceful setting, surrounded by nature, silence, and heritage. This Christian retreat center offers spiritual guidance, times of prayer in Gregorian chant, and a renewing experience open to all.

History of Abbaye de La Lucerne in Normandie

Founded in 1121, Abbaye Sainte-Trinité de La Lucerne is one of the oldest abbeys of the Premonstratensian order. It has preserved much of its original architecture, making it a remarkable testament to medieval religious heritage in Normandie. Largely restored in the twentieth century through the efforts of Father Marcel Lelégard, it is today listed as a Historic Monument.

Located near Mont-Saint-Michel, in the heart of a verdant setting, Abbaye de La Lucerne is a privileged place for a spiritual retreat in Normandie. The silence of the place, the beauty of its architecture, and the surrounding nature invite rest, prayer, and inner reflection.

The abbey resonates each day to the rhythm of Gregorian chant, offering an atmosphere conducive to contemplation.

Since September 2022, two priests and lay people sent on mission by the bishop of Coutances have been running a center dedicated to Christian retreat, open to all.

Christian community and spiritual life at the abbey

The spiritual life of the abbey is carried by two diocesan priests, Father Guillaume Antoine and Father Henri Vallançon, accompanied by a canonical fraternity founded in 1964 by Father Louis Bouyer and Father Marcel Lelégard.

Each day, the community celebrates the liturgical offices and Mass, sung according to the tradition of monastic offices. These times of prayer structure the day and allow retreatants to anchor themselves in a deep spiritual rhythm.

The priests offer personalized spiritual guidance as well as a variety of teachings. Their mission is to share the riches of the Church's tradition in a way that is accessible to all. The abbey welcomes both those wishing to deepen their faith and those searching for meaning, in a spirit of listening and compassion.

The atmosphere of silence, essential to any spiritual retreat, fosters inner recollection and an encounter with God.

Spiritual retreats offered at Abbaye de La Lucerne

Abbaye de La Lucerne offers various formats of spiritual and Christian retreats, suited to all profiles: individuals, couples, friends, or groups.

Retreatants benefit from:

• individual spiritual guidance
• times of exchange with the priests
• meals shared in common
• the opportunity to take part in manual activities (gardening, service)

Examples of retreats offered:

• Lectio Divina (prayerful reading of the Bible)
• Formation in prayer (including Carmelite mental prayer)
• Biblical sessions (Hebrew, Greek)
• Retreats for couples or engaged couples
• Gregorian chant and sacred art
• Thematic spiritual retreats (ecology, compassion, rootedness in faith)
• Sessions for students and young professionals

These stays offer a complete experience, close to the typical day of a monk, combining prayer, teachings, and times of silence.

Accommodation and living environment

Retreatants are welcomed in accommodations located immediately near the abbey (5 minutes by car, 15 minutes on foot). Single and double rooms are available, as well as a bivouac area.

Meals are prepared and shared in common at the abbey mill, fostering simple and fraternal moments of sharing.

The abbey also provides:

• an abbey church open for personal prayer
• two meeting rooms
• a library
• a garden conducive to meditation

Silence, a central element of the place, allows each person to find inner recollection.

An exceptional natural environment in Normandie

Located between Granville and Avranches, Abbaye de La Lucerne sits on the banks of the Thar river, in the heart of the Norman countryside. Surrounded by forests and hiking trails, it offers an ideal setting for a spiritual retreat in nature.

Just 14 km away, the Bec d'Andaine is the starting point for the famous crossing of the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, accessible on foot or by car.

Easy to reach, the abbey is located:

• 7 minutes from Folligny train station
• 15 minutes from Granville train station

Activities and points of interest nearby

The surroundings of the abbey offer many opportunities for discovery:

• Crossing of the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel from Genêts
• Cornille-Havard bell foundry in Villedieu-les-Poêles
• Louis Vuitton manufacturing workshop
• Historic churches of Saint-Léger and La Rochelle-Normande
• Birthplace of Saint Auguste Chapdelaine

These activities enrich the retreat experience through a discovery of the local heritage.