Malestroit Monastery
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The Community of Augustinian Hospitallers welcomes you for a time of spiritual renewal in their monastery located in the heart of Morbihan, on the banks of the Nantes to Brest canal, in the thousand-year-old town of Malestroit.
Retreats organized by the community
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The Augustinian Hospitallers of Malestroit
The Augustinian Sisters arrived in Malestroit in 1866, having had to leave Vannes and its hospital where they had been since the 17th century, and settled in a former monastery. They expanded it and resumed hospital and teaching activities. A small clinic adjacent to the Community opened around 1918, but it was Mother Yvonne-Aimée, then a novice, who launched the project for a vast hospital establishment that opened its doors in 1928.
Decorated by General de Gaulle at the Liberation, Mother Yvonne-Aimée is notably known for having hidden paratroopers in the Monastery by disguising them as nuns. This obviously brings to mind that iconic scene from La Grande Vadrouille!
The monastery is organized around the cloister. Open to the outside, it overlooks the very pleasant gardens designed by Mother Yvonne-Aimée, and the Nantes to Brest canal. Its small pond offers calm and rest for both patients and retreatants. It also includes a chapel, open to anyone who wishes to visit, whether to meditate or to participate in the various offices with the Community. Adjacent to the monastery, the guest house offers hospitality for all those seeking silence, renewal, contemplation or study.
The Augustinian Community living at the monastery is currently composed of 26 Sisters. They follow the Rule of Saint Augustine (354-430), founder of a new form of consecrated life, which could be called "monks in the city". This rule is characterized by the very high importance of fraternal life.
At Malestroit Monastery, Sisters in service to the sick
Although the monastery remains a place of silence and withdrawal from the world, it is nonetheless vibrant and dynamic. Indeed, the Sisters have a primary mission: caring for the sick. And, in addition to the three vows (poverty, chastity, obedience) they take a fourth: that of serving the poor and the sick through mercy.
Caring for the sick, listening, individual accompaniment, hospitality, sometimes simply being present characterize their way of serving. One thing is certain, you will be warmly received! Heir to the hospital tradition of the Augustinian Sisters who dedicate their lives to serving the sick and the most vulnerable, the monastery has a state-of-the-art medical clinic for both seniors and younger people.
What to expect during your stay
The monastery's guest house, Maison Sainte Thérèse, consists of 16 single rooms and 4 double rooms, all equipped with bathrooms and toilets. They are all accessible to people with reduced mobility and the floors are served by an elevator.
A dining room and cafeteria, as well as a small lounge are accessible on the ground floor. Upstairs, you will find a large lounge with a library, piano and television. Meals, taken in the dining room, contribute to the very friendly atmosphere of the guest house. The cuisine prepared on site is of excellent quality!
Outside, guests can enjoy the Monastery garden and the clinic park, the immediate proximity of the banks of the Oust, the Nantes to Brest canal and the surrounding countryside.
For guests who wish, the monastery chapel is open at any hour of the day! The six daily offices take place there from 6:30 am (for the most motivated) to 8:45 pm. Sung, they are accompanied by organ or psaltery (a very ancient musical instrument somewhat resembling the zither).
Making a spiritual retreat at Malestroit Monastery
Maison Sainte Thérèse is open to everyone for a time of retreat and renewal. Because it is sometimes difficult for you to focus on the essential in daily life, the Augustinian Sisters of Malestroit welcome you for an individual retreat to experience silence and contemplation near the Monastery.
It also warmly welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds, for times of rest or vacation in a calm atmosphere and pleasant setting. Those who wish can meet with a Sister for spiritual direction or simply to chat and talk!
Throughout the school year and during vacations, the Monastery welcomes high school and college students who wish to spend time studying in peace, in a supportive, warm and renewing environment!
For good study conditions, you have access to:
- WiFi,
- a study room,
- a calm and renewing living environment
Young women who wish may also come to experience a significant time in Community, for a week, in a spirit of kindness and mutual support, to experience monastic life and service to the sick and convalescents. You will also have the opportunity to participate in moments of teaching, sharing and listening with a Sister.
Finally, the Augustinians joyfully welcome small scout groups (seniors, patrols or teams) and offer them the possibility of pitching their tents near the monastery, with all amenities: water point and WC, possibility of service, meeting with Sisters if the group requests it...
Geography and activities
What to do and see around Malestroit Monastery?
The Monastery is located in the heart of the small town of Malestroit, in the department of Morbihan (56). Founded in 987, Malestroit "the thousand-year-old" is a former barony of Brittany that has become a "Small Town of Character". From its past, it still preserves some lovely Gothic or Renaissance half-timbered houses. A crafts circuit allows you to discover the town while exploring a wide variety of creator boutiques and their workshops (wood turner, leather, jewelry, sculpture, blown glass, pottery, illumination...).
Do you enjoy sports? Take advantage of the municipal swimming pool or tennis court, various hiking trails, or even pedal boats and canoes available near the monastery!
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Around the charming small town of Malestroit, provided you have a vehicle, many excursions are possible, since the monastery is located:
- 15 km from Rochefort en Terre, voted France's favorite village in 2016
- 20 km from the Monteneuf menhirs site
- 25 km from Josselin, also a "small town of character", where we highly recommend visiting the castle and the Basilica of Notre-Dame du Roncier.
- 25 km from the La Gacilly Photo Festival, accessible throughout the summer.
- 25 km from the legendary Brocéliande forest, just over fifteen minutes by car.
- 35 km from the Gulf of Morbihan or the coastal beaches, to put your feet in the water, or 80 km from the wild coast!
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