Notre-Dame de Sainte-Garde
Nestled between scrubland and vineyards, backing onto the charming Provençal village of Saint-Didier, Notre-Dame de Sainte Garde is a welcoming place for spiritual retreats deeply rooted in Christian history and tradition.
Away from the hustle and bustle, on a small hill overlooking the Comtat Venaissin landscape, the house offers an environment conducive to silence, prayer, and inner renewal, lulled in summer by the song of cicadas.
Retreats organized by the community
Centuries of spiritual history
The history of Notre-Dame de Sainte Garde dates back to the 17th century, with the founding of a local congregation of contemplative and missionary priests: the Fathers of Sainte-Garde.
From this origin, the place has preserved a deep attachment to silence inhabited by prayer and to Christian witness in the heart of the world.
In the 19th century, a minor seminary was built on the site, with a beautiful chapel and cloister. Part of the buildings, now classified as Historic Monuments, still bear witness to this era.
Beginning in the 1980s, the Institute Notre-Dame de Vie established a spiritual center there, soon joined by a seminary and an institute of higher theology.
This presence gives the house a living and prayerful atmosphere, sustained by a community of seminarians, students, and teachers.
A living spiritual center, rooted in the Carmelite tradition
Notre-Dame de Sainte Garde shares the spirituality of Carmel, in the footsteps of Father Marie-Eugène of the Child Jesus, founder of the Institute Notre-Dame de Vie.
The place emphasizes learning mental prayer, deepening the interior life, and spiritual guidance in the light of the great Carmelite masters.
The center welcomes both men and women, individually or in organized groups, for times of retreat, formation, or reflection.
What to expect during your stay
Spiritual retreats and offerings
The spiritual center offers:
- spiritual retreats of several days,
- days of renewal,
- thematic sessions,
- catechetical and theological formation,
- cultural gatherings and conferences.
Each retreat is led by a team including one or more priests, available for listening and spiritual guidance.
The days alternate between times of teaching, personal prayer, liturgy, individual meetings, and generous periods of freedom.
Some retreats provide childcare for young children, supervised by a dedicated team.
The various missions of the site
Notre-Dame de Sainte Garde brings together several complementary areas:
- a guest house open to groups and individuals,
- a spiritual center for retreats and recollections,
- an institute of higher theology offering degree and non-degree programs,
- a catechetical center for the transmission of the faith,
- a seminary for the formation of future priests,
- accommodation and catering services adapted to the activities of the place.
The guest house and buildings
The guest house has accommodation facilities that can receive up to 200 people, with single or double rooms, offering different levels of comfort according to needs.
The site includes:
- a large main building restored at the end of the 20th century,
- a large central chapel,
- a dining facility,
- a second accommodation building,
- a tree-lined park with two ponds.
Retreatants have access to:
- several meeting and work rooms,
- a 180-seat amphitheater,
- a library conducive to reading and meditation.
Three dining rooms (seating 100, 80, and 30) allow for hosting several groups simultaneously.
During retreats, meals are generally taken in silence, but each group can choose the most suitable approach: silence, music, or free conversation.
Geography and activities
A privileged geographic setting
Notre-Dame de Sainte Garde is located:
- 10 km from Carpentras,
- approximately 30 minutes from Avignon.
Only 4 km away is the Marian sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Vie, accessible by peaceful green paths.
Discoveries and walks in the surrounding area
From the house, many walks are possible on foot. Nearby or by car, guests can discover:
- Venasque, classified among the most beautiful villages in France,
- Sénanque abbey,
- Gordes,
- Orange,
- or the historical and cultural riches of Avignon.
