Le Gaillardin Spiritual Life Center
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The Sève Movement welcomes anyone seeking meaning during sessions at Le Gaillardin Spiritual Life Center in Vendée.
A quiet place in the heart of a forest, conducive to reflection and depth.
Retreats organized by the community
Le Gaillardin Spiritual Life Center of the Sève Movement
Le Gaillardin is located on the island of Noirmoutier in the Bois de la Chaize.
The house was built in 1905 by Americans attracted by the possibilities for water sports. Mr. and Mrs. Prince, with no direct descendants, died in 1943. Due to the war, the place remained closed until 1946.
It was then that Mr. and Mrs. Philippe Hoppenot, vacationing with friends, learned of the property's sale and were able to acquire it for their family. For about fifty years, the family gathered there for vacations, parents, children, and grandchildren.
At the end of summer, Marguerite Hoppenot already brought together several faithful members of the Sève Movement for a few days to deepen together their understanding of and response to her great calling received from God. This is the origin of the sessions and gatherings organized today.
Beginning in 1996, discussions between Marguerite Hoppenot's children and the community responsible for Sève that surrounded her resulted in 1999 in the purchase of the property from the family by an association called "Les Amis du Gaillardin" (Friends of Le Gaillardin), which became the owner and made it available to the Sève Movement to live out the vocation of love, light, and unity of its founder, Marguerite Hoppenot.
An ecumenical Christian movement at Le Gaillardin
The Sève Movement is a Christian, ecumenical movement, founded in 1938 by a woman, wife, and mother, Marguerite Hoppenot, in response to a call from the Church.
The Sève Movement is the fruit of the call of three words of God:
- "God is Love," "He created the human being in his image,"
- "Male and female, he made them,"
- "Father, that they may be one as you and I are one, so that the world may believe that you sent me."
Recognized as a Church movement, the Sève Movement comprises approximately 1,000 members established in France and internationally (Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and Switzerland).
Its vocation is to accompany people seeking the meaning of life, to develop their interior life, to grow humanly and spiritually in the footsteps of Christ. The motto of the Sève Movement is: To Be, To Love, To Serve, To Unite. It offers an experience of fraternal life that invites cooperation with God's plan: love and unity in the world.
It is animated by a community composed of about a dozen responsible members. Members of the Sève Movement journey in teams of 8 to 10 members of various ages, men, women, couples, and young professionals. A team of priests, pastors, and laity lives an experience of unity in the richness of diversity.
What to expect during your stay
A time of spiritual life open to all
Throughout the year, the Sève Movement offers:
- 2 to 3-day thematic sessions, including weekends, for example "Choosing life," "What is it to love?," "To be, to love, to serve, to unite";
- spiritual pauses for one day, to share the Gospel or a writing by Marguerite Hoppenot;
- open houses in summer.
These sessions are a time of sharing, listening, and exchange, to discover the message of Jesus Christ.
All these programs are led by trained lay members of the Sève Movement. Session participants contribute to meal preparation and service.
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A house designed for hospitality
Le Gaillardin Spiritual Center is a large family residence.
- On the first and second floors, 15 rooms, and 1 wheelchair-accessible room on the ground floor. Sheets and towels not provided.
- On the ground floor, a room with bathroom facilities, wheelchair accessible. Most rooms have a private bathroom.
- On the first floor, an individual study room (in silence) with six spaces, offering books to consult on site.
- On the ground floor, the common areas: meeting room (maximum 20 people), oratory, living room, dining room, kitchen, and an office for administrative matters.
Geography and activities
Noirmoutier, a seaside destination
Le Gaillardin is located in the municipality of Noirmoutier-en-l'Île in Vendée. It is a place of preserved silence in the classified site of Bois de La Chaize in this very touristy seaside resort.
The park allows for times of silence, rest, and relaxation in peace.
The capital of Vendée is La Roche-sur-Yon (53 miles). The city of Nantes in Loire-Atlantique (50 miles) is also not very far.
- On site, it is recommended to get around by walking or by bicycle, available for rent in town.
- The town center is located 5 minutes by car and 20 minutes on foot.
- The nearest beach is a 10-minute walk away, and there are also many other beaches a bit further, accessible on foot, by bicycle, or by car.
The island of Noirmoutier, a place rich in activities
There are 5 churches and several chapels on the island of Noirmoutier, including a Protestant service in summer in the parish house called Salle Blanc-Moutier.
On the island, you will also find:
- The Castle of Noirmoutier,
- The Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions in La Guérinière,
- The Passage du Gois, a 2.5-mile causeway submerged at high tide.
Practical information
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