La Rochette Abbey
The Benedictine community of La Rochette Abbey is delighted to welcome you and meet your needs by offering a place of listening, renewal, and an ideal setting for your studies in the heart of Savoie!
Retreats organized by the community
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From Lyon to Savoie, the history of La Rochette Abbey
After entering Saint-André-Le-Haut Abbey, founded in the 5th century in Vienne, Suzanne du Peloux, a nun of the Order of Saint Benedict, was driven out by the Revolution and lived in hiding during the Terror. As soon as hope returned, Suzanne set to work and gathered other nuns expelled from various monasteries. Seven of them came together, eager to resume monastic life.
In 1824, they acquired a house north of Lyon, on the banks of the Saône, located on a hillside on a small rock, hence its name: Maison de la Rochette (House on the Little Rock). The founders settled there in precarious conditions, and despite their age, resumed monastic life according to the Rule of Saint Benedict.
In the 20th century, the day came when they had to move. Leaving the Lyon suburbs, La Rochette established itself in a peaceful village in the Savoyard foothills, Belmont-Tramonet, and settled there at Pentecost 1970.
The year 1972 saw the completion of construction with the inauguration of the abbey church at the heart of the monastery. Faithful to its origin, the community kept its family name "La Rochette" and the spiritual heritage inscribed in its motto: Petra autem erat Christus which, in English, means "The rock is Christ".
The Benedictines of La Rochette Abbey in Belmont-Tramonet
Today, the community consists of 13 Benedictine nuns. It is part of the Notre Dame de la Rencontre federation, bringing together 15 monasteries living according to the Rule of Saint Benedict.
Written between 530 and 556, the Rule divides the sisters' days in a balanced way between prayer and work: ora et labora. The nuns produce handicraft items (cards, books, notebooks) offered for sale in their shop, and they spend a significant portion of their time welcoming their guests!
While the community is the fruit of a long history, it very much lives in the present and is resolutely turned toward the future! Starting in 2023, the sisters will welcome their first residents within the abbey's Maison d'Alliance (House of Alliance), housing people in a spirit of friendship and mutual assistance.
What to expect during your stay
Living a spiritual retreat in Savoie at La Rochette Abbey
Throughout the year, the community leads spiritual retreats and offers sessions with guest speakers.
Regularly, an introduction to meditation based on the psalms or a time of lectio divina allows the community to share its charism with those who wish. Guests who desire can also participate in some manual work.
It is also possible to come for a personal retreat, at any time during the year, with the possibility of meeting with a spiritual director on site who can, for example, accompany an important decision, in the light of Scripture and wisdom cultivated over the centuries.
You will be housed in a wing of the abbey called Mamre, named after the oak tree under which Abraham received the visit of three angels (it's in Genesis chapter 18, and PRIXM writes about it really well!)
Studying for exams at La Rochette Abbey
You can also come to study for your exams, write your thesis, or finish your dissertation. Indeed, community life offers an ideal setting for high school and college students seeking quiet to work.
Rooms with wifi access are available and you can work together if you prefer. Between study sessions, visit the library, take a walk in the garden, or go for a short hike to restore your energy and get back at it with renewed vigor!
In short, anyone wishing to take a step back is welcomed with respect for their journey and with no requirement to attend the divine offices.
In brief, the guest house includes:
- 25 rooms, some with two beds or a double bed.
- Several rooms allowing groups (up to 30) to gather and eat together.
- An oratory and a library.
- Several dining rooms, allowing you to take meals with all the guests in a spirit of sharing, or to remain in silence.
- A small shop offering for sale some of the monastic products from the Monastic network!
- A garden accessible to all guests, and of course all the surrounding countryside!
Taking advantage of summer for a spiritual retreat at La Rochette Abbey
Why not take a spiritual break during the summer?
This idea appeals to you, but you're not quite sure how to go about it? The abbey offers you a customizable program!
To help strengthen your journey, daily gatherings are offered between July 17 and 30, then between August 7 and 20, one in the early morning and another in the late afternoon.
In addition to communal prayer with the nuns and Mass, each morning provides guidance for praying with the Gospel of the day. In the late afternoon, a different entry point is opened each day: the psalms, the Rule of Saint Benedict, lectio divina, foundations of faith, Eucharistic adoration, and the connection between life and faith. These various times are led by sisters from the community and by friends of the abbey.
Several hiking routes around the abbey are available to everyone. It's also possible to hike together.
There is no commitment required from retreatants. Everyone can experience, at their own pace, one or more of these offerings during their stay at the abbey!
Geography and activities
The abbey is located in the Savoyard foothills, at 250 m altitude, outside the village of Belmont-Tramonet. It is situated:
- 30 km from Chambéry,
- 60 km from Grenoble,
- 75 km from Lyon.
The charming city of Chambéry
Less than 20 km from the abbey, Chambéry opens its doors and invites you to immerse yourself in its long history. From Place Saint-Léger, walk through the pedestrian streets of the city center and admire the colorful facades surrounding you. At this point in your visit, you will certainly have noticed the tallest tower of the castle, the emblem of the power of the Dukes of Savoy. Finally, let yourself be surprised by visiting the Cathedral of Saint Francis de Sales with its approximately 6,000 m2 of trompe-l'oeil painting!
The verdant Chartreuse massif
The Chartreuse Massif is a half-hour drive away. It's a lush green gem that extends between Grenoble, Voiron, and Chambéry. If you go, don't hesitate to discover Grande Chartreuse Monastery and its millennium of contemplative life. While the monastery cannot be visited, you can tour the adjacent museum. Tip: an 11 km hiking trail allows you to walk in silence in the footsteps of Saint Bruno and offers beautiful views of the surrounding peaks.
Along the water, a walk beside the Guiers
Several hikes can begin from the abbey. Among them, don't hesitate to walk along the Guiers, a lovely little river extending nearly 50 km and bordered by breathtaking landscapes.
Practical information
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