Annonciade Monastery of Saint-Doulchard
Two hours from Paris, the sisters of the Annonciade of Saint-Doulchard welcome you to a place overlooking the city of Bourges, ideal for renewal, prayer, and study. The monastery has a guest house that welcomes various groups from the region and beyond for times of reflection, prayer, or renewal in a setting conducive to silence.
Retreats organized by the community
The Annonciade Monastery of Saint-Doulchard
The Annonciade Monastery of Saint-Doulchard has a rich history, rooted in the religious traditions of Berry. Founded in July 1988 by the monastery of Thiais, it represents a return to the origins of the Order of the Annonciade, created in Bourges in 1502 by Saint Joan of France.
The monastery is located at the gates of Bourges, offering a magnificent view of the cathedral in the distance. It was established in a place called "Le Pressoir" in Saint-Doulchard. The foundation required the conversion and extensive work on an existing dwelling to accommodate the community. The monastery's chapel, built from an old barn, is distinguished by its simplicity and atmosphere conducive to contemplation. It is adorned with brightly colored stained glass windows representing the principal devotions of Saint Joan of France.
Life at the monastery is structured by prayer and work. The nuns, faithful to the charism of Saint Joan of France, strive to radiate through their joy and emphasize fraternal life.
Today, the Annonciade Monastery in Saint-Doulchard continues to perpetuate the contemplative and Marian tradition of the Order, while adapting to contemporary spiritual needs.
Prayer life at the Annonciade of Saint-Doulchard
The community currently includes six nuns of all ages, devoted daily to prayer. Each day is structured by the celebration of six divine offices. In the silence of mental prayer (silent and meditative prayer) and times of prayerful reading of the Word of God, the nuns pray for the world.
The Annonciades live according to the Rule of the Order of the Virgin Mary. Written in the 16th century by Saint Joan of France, this rule aims to enable everyone, both the strong and the weak, to live with fraternity and joy.
The nuns lead a simple life of monastic hospitality, various services, and crafts, including a jam workshop and production of delicious fruit pastes. They also run a shop.
What to expect during your stay
What is a retreat like at the Annonciades?
Following the Annonciade hospitality tradition, the religious sisters of Saint-Doulchard have a space reserved for guests wishing to come and find renewal in silence, listening to the Word of God and prayer, while enjoying the beautiful natural park.
The Annonciades also organize customized stays for young women aged 18 to 35 wishing to take a break in silence and prayer. These retreats are flexible according to each person's wishes: individual or small group stays, throughout the year.
The Annonciades also offer personal spiritual guidance to help respond to questions and life's challenges, to learn how to pray... Special retreats, reserved for young people, also allow sharing the sisters' daily life.
Students or young professionals on leave, alone or with friends, the Saint-Doulchard Monastery welcomes you in July, August, and September, for the duration of your choice. The program includes various activities: gardening, jam-making, and other small tasks.
At the end of summer, before starting a new academic or professional year, the community also offers the opportunity to live five days at its rhythm to discover liturgical life (offices and Eucharist), community life, and work.
In addition to regular hospitality, the guest house offers specific activities:
- spiritual breaks
- iconography or zither sessions
- a setting conducive to students studying for exams, open to all.
Attentive hospitality at the Annonciades of Saint-Doulchard
The guest house at the Annonciade Monastery in Saint-Doulchard is a peaceful place of welcome, located just three kilometers from Bourges, ideal for spiritual renewal. It has simple and comfortable rooms adapted to the needs of groups, families, or individuals, with full board or half board options. Retreatants can organize their stay at their own pace and are freely invited to participate in the community's prayers.
The guest house offers different spaces:
- On the ground floor: a meeting room, a space for sharing and meals.
- On the upper floors: about twenty single and double rooms (each with its own sink), sharing showers and toilets in the hallway.
- On the 2nd floor: a library, with books on saints and prayer in particular. Beyond the chapel, there is also the park for fresh air, walking, praying, meditating... And a study room.
Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) take place in a friendly atmosphere in the guests' dining room. The dishes are prepared by the sisters and brought by the guest mistress.
A group of retreatants may consider eating in silence, but the usual practice is a fraternal and family atmosphere. Help with dishes is appreciated during retreats.
Geography and activities
The Annonciade Monastery is located in Saint-Doulchard, a town in the Cher department in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Although close to Bourges, about 3 km from the city, the monastery benefits from a rather rural setting, conducive to silence and contemplation, and offers a magnificent view of the Bourges cathedral. This location thus combines the advantages of a calm environment favorable to contemplative life, while remaining close to a major city and its amenities, only two hours from Paris!
What to do around the Annonciade Monastery?
The surroundings of the Annonciade Monastery in Saint-Doulchard offer a variety of activities and places of interest accessible on foot, by bus, or by car. From the monastery, it is possible to reach on foot or by bus (all lines are free!):
- Saint-Étienne Cathedral in Bourges, a masterpiece of Gothic art, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and located approximately 4 km from the monastery.
- The Palais Jacques Cœur: a magnificent example of medieval architecture, also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, less than 4 km away!
- The Archbishop's Garden: a pleasant park with a garden, children's play areas, and green spaces.
The Marais de Bourges: a remarkable natural area of 135 hectares located in the heart of the city, just steps from the historic center and the cathedral. These activities offer a blend of culture, nature, and leisure, allowing guests to discover the region while enjoying the tranquility of the monastery.
Practical information
Discover more locations
.webp)