Notre-Dame-du-Lieu-Plaisant Hermitage of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
A spiritual retreat in the heart of the Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert mountains.
Nestled in a valley in the forest of the Saint-Guilhem mountains, the hermitage welcomes you in complete autonomy for a retreat.
Retreats organized by the community
Saint-Guilhem Hermitage, nestled in the heart of Hérault
Founded by a layperson at the end of the 14th century, the Hermitage was a retreat welcoming up to six monks. It was dependent on the Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert abbey, to which the Pope had taken care to attach it. A few brothers lived there, cultivating the surrounding valleys and relying on the meager resources that Nature was willing to offer them.
During the Revolution, the Hermitage was sold. A family from near Montpellier purchased the property, which they still own today. Concerned with preserving its character, they have always ensured that the Hermitage remains inseparably linked to the parish of Saint-Guilhem.
The sauta rocs (the name for the village inhabitants) have always remained attached to this place, as evidenced by the two annual pilgrimages since 1628. Even though the site is no longer occupied today, eremitic life has never completely died out. The last monk left the premises in 2017 after nine years spent at the Hermitage.
The Hermitage is now managed by the Friends of the Hermitage Association. It underwent extensive exterior restoration in 2021, including roof renovation and exterior rendering. The project was supported by the Heritage Foundation and the Bern mission.
What to expect during your stay
Saint-Guilhem Hermitage: an ideal setting for a spiritual retreat
We offer you a stay in complete autonomy. The Hermitage is not inhabited. You will therefore be free to live your stay according to your wishes. However, we want to preserve its character. The Hermitage is not a vacation cottage. For those interested in shared prayer, the Saint-Joseph Carmel community in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert offers stays. You have the possibility to combine the retreat at the Hermitage with participation in the prayers organized by the Carmel.
As this is a hermitage, the comfort is rustic. There is no electricity (a solar panel can power phone charging and a neon light). A water point at the entrance is sufficient to provide liters of drinking water for a few people. Recovery tanks provide the rest.
The hermitage includes:
- a dining room
- a wood stove
- 6 cells, one of which can be used as a kitchen with a sink
- box springs (planks) and camping mattresses
- a chapel
- 3 storage cellars for maintenance equipment
The whole setting is conducive to a break away, a retreat of a few days aimed at finding renewal in contact with nature.
Geography and activities
The Hermitage is located in the Hérault department, 28 miles from Montpellier, in the municipality of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. Located along the GR 7, it is accessible after an hour's walk. Nestled in a valley surrounded by a forest of Salzmann pines, the Hermitage is a place conducive to a pause.
Activities around the Hermitage
From the Hermitage, numerous hikes are available to you:
- Access the Larzac plateau after a good hour and a half of walking.
- Visit the village of Saint-Guilhem, a major heritage tourism site with 800,000 visitors per year.
- Enjoy numerous nature activities
Practical information
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