Maison de la Parole

In Beaugency, above the Loire, Ursuline sisters and lay people welcome you, alone or in a group, in a 17th-century convent. Come to rest, pray, or discover the Bible.

The Ursuline convent of Beaugency, four centuries of history

It all began in 1629. That year, the aldermen of Beaugency asked the Ursulines of Orléans to send sisters to teach the girls of the town and neighboring villages free of charge.

The convent we see today was built a little later. An Ursuline born in Beaugency, Anne Tardif, launched the project, and the foundation stone was laid on April 24, 1647. The plaque commemorating this is still there, in the staircase. The buildings were completed around 1660. By 1668, the school already had 250 students, and the sisters also taught young women and girls on Sundays.

Until 1792, it was the only girls' school in Beaugency. Then came the Revolution. The convent was sold as national property and used as a fodder warehouse and housing. The sisters gradually bought it back from 1803 onward and reopened the school. In the 19th century, they built the large boarding school building, where young women from Poland, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Italy came to learn French.

Like many French convents, this one has lived through the upheavals of history. French and Prussian wounded were treated here in 1870. During World War I, it became a military hospital, then a hospice and maternity ward from 1940. It is today one of the oldest buildings in Beaugency, yet people often walk past without noticing it. The convent opens its doors to the public for the European Heritage Days in September and for the Arts, Local Produce and Garden Festival in May.

The Ursuline sisters and the Maison de la Parole

The Ursulines were founded in 1535 in Brescia, Italy, by Saint Angela Merici. She wanted to educate girls and care for the poorest, which was quite new at the time. The Order of Saint Ursula arrived in France in 1586 and opened schools throughout the country. Its motto,"Serviam", means "I will serve."

In Beaugency, eight sisters live on site. They belong to the Roman Union of the order. In 2000, together with the diocese of Orléans, they opened the Maison de la Parole in part of the convent. Its purpose is to help people discover the Word of God, meditate on it, celebrate it, and live it, welcoming everyone without distinction, whatever their path. It is proclaimed here in the spirit of Angela Merici, with kindness and genuine care for each person.

The sisters are not alone. A team of lay people and more than 50 volunteers keep the house running. Meals are prepared by an ESAT (a supported employment center) and served by volunteers. On the same site there is also a school and the national Ursuline archives.

A retreat at the Maison de la Parole

The atmosphere is relaxed. No one imposes a schedule on you. You can spend the day reading, walking along the Loire, lending a hand in the garden, or simply resting. The large tree-filled garden overlooks the river, and the chapel remains open at all hours, as does the oratory.

The sisters pray Lauds in the morning and Vespers in the evening in the chapel. You are welcome to join them for these offices whenever you wish. If you need to talk, a sister can also listen to you or accompany you during your stay.

Those who prefer to be guided will find themed retreats prepared by the house throughout the year, lasting from one day to eight days. Some are based on a book of the Bible, such as the Psalms or the First Letter of Saint John. Others follow a major Ursuline figure such as Marie de l'Incarnation, born in Tours and sent on mission to Quebec. Others draw inspiration from the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius. Several are lived in silence. Those aged 18 to 35 also have their own stays, centered on service, prayer, and fraternal life.

Practical information

The house welcomes both individuals and groups, for a day or for more than a week. You will find couples, families with children, young people, priests, and religious. Scouts can sleep in rooms or under canvas in the garden, and students sometimes come to study for their exams.

There are 28 rooms, single, double, or triple, with 48 beds. The comfort is simple, with shared bathrooms. Two rooms are accessible to people with reduced mobility. Bed linen is provided and Wi-Fi is available throughout the house. Pets are not accepted.

Meals are taken in the house's dining rooms, not with the community. They must be ordered at least one month in advance. If you follow a particular diet, mention it in your stay request. You are also welcome to bring your own packed lunch.

Arrival is before 6 p.m., and departure time is arranged with the team. The house closes for the first two weeks of August and the week of Christmas. For the contribution to expenses, expect around €60 to €65 per day, meals included. The sisters do not want money to be an obstacle: if your budget is tight, mention it when making your stay request.

Beaugency train station, on the TER Orléans-Blois-Tours line, is a ten-minute walk away. By car, the A10 exit is about fifteen minutes away, Orléans is about twenty minutes away, and you can park within the convent grounds.

What to see around Beaugency?

Beaugency is a small town in the Loiret department, set on the north bank of the Loire. Its historic center is part of the Val de Loire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Everything can be visited on foot. There is the Tour de César, an 11th-century keep, the Notre-Dame abbey church, the Château Dunois, the Clock Tower, and the old bridge over the Loire, already mentioned in the early 12th century.

The convent is located along the La Loire à Vélo cycling route. On foot, a pleasant walk follows the river to Les Fontenils and the "blue waters" of Tavers, taking about two hours. Wednesday and Saturday are market days in town.

A little further away, on the other bank, the Château de Chambord is about twenty kilometers away.