Sablonceaux Abbey
In the gentle Charente countryside, members of the Chemin Neuf Community—bringing together consecrated persons and laypeople, men and women—open the doors of Sablonceaux Abbey to you for a time of spiritual retreat.
Retreats organized by the community
Brief history of Sablonceaux Abbey, in Charente-Maritime
Founded in the 12th century, Sablonceaux Abbey is a unique and essential site of Saintonge, in the historic region of Aquitaine. Following the Rule of Saint Augustine, the community of canons regular lived off the resources of its numerous lands: woods, fields, vineyards, and salt marshes. The magnificent grain storehouse and numerous wine cellars bear witness to the abbey's great prosperity in the 13th century.
The abbey church and chapter house, built in the Romanesque style with Gothic reconstructions, testify to the abbey's turbulent history, tested both by the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion.
The monumental gate from 1788, which bears the inscriptions "la nation", "la constitution", "la loy" with the term "le roy" chiseled out in 1789, reveals the impact of the French Revolution which, in 1792, drove the canons from the abbey. After the Revolution, the abbey was purchased by private individuals. The cloister and buildings too old and impossible to maintain were dismantled. Dr. Martz later transformed the abbey into a health cure facility in the early 20th century.
During World War I, new owners converted the abbey into an orphanage to receive young boys from surrounding villages. In the 1950s, the private section of the abbey, which included a farm building, became a dairy where "Le Vieux Porche" cheese was created in reference to the monumental gateway at the abbey's entrance.
In 1986, the abbey was purchased by the Diocese of La Rochelle and Saintes, which entrusted it to the Chemin Neuf Community so that it could regain its spiritual vocation!
The Chemin Neuf Community welcomes you to Sablonceaux Abbey
Founded in 1973, Chemin Neuf is a Catholic community with an ecumenical vocation of Ignatian and charismatic spirituality, present in about thirty countries.
At Sablonceaux Abbey, families and single persons live in a space and rhythm respectful of their state of life. All share the life of prayer, work, fraternal times, and take certain meals together.
The day is punctuated by times of prayer open to all: mental prayer and Lauds in the morning, Eucharist at noon, Vespers and Eucharistic adoration in the evening. Every Tuesday evening there is a prayer group open to those who wish to pray with the community.
Most community members have professional work, others are full-time in service to the Church. The community lives from its work for daily needs as well as from donations. Tasks are varied: cooking, housekeeping, laundry, administrative work, grounds maintenance… Each person is free to work according to their skills and preferences.
The Chemin Neuf Community also oversees the maintenance of buildings classified as Historic Monuments, in collaboration with institutions and professionals.
What to expect during your stay
Making a spiritual retreat at Sablonceaux Abbey
The main missions of the Chemin Neuf Community are spiritual in nature. They vary from place to place, according to local specificities. At Sablonceaux Abbey, Chemin Neuf offers various activities:
- Sessions for young people aged 14 to 18: weekends, festival, fraternity, prayer, celebrations…
- CANA sessions for couples, engaged couples, families, separated or divorced persons (CANA Espérance) and persons in new unions (CANA Samarie);
- Spiritual retreats according to the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola (7 or 30 days);
- Pastoral service for the local Church (hospital chaplaincy, family parish service, parish responsibility…);
- Biblical and theological formation;
- Inner healing retreats;
- Sessions for young people aged 18 to 30: student residences, weekends, festival, retreat, volunteering…
Accommodation and hospitality at Sablonceaux Abbey
Generally speaking, the community welcomes widely throughout the year and provides 5 rooms and a kitchen, with meals taken independently:
- Visitors, with guided tours and the gift shop;
- Various groups such as associations, chaplaincies, Church movements, cultural activities…
- Pilgrims on the Way of Saint James;
- Young people for a sabbatical year and civic service volunteers;
- Anyone who wishes to share a time of work, prayer, and fraternity with the community. The community especially organizes "open Thursdays" with various tasks such as grounds maintenance, cooking, housekeeping, laundry, workshops, crafts, sewing… where everyone is welcome according to their skills and interests!
A large guest house for your renewal at Sablonceaux Abbey
Sablonceaux Abbey offers numerous rooms to accommodate its guests.
First, the 19th-century presbytery, located near the abbey church, has a ground floor with 2 rooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom. The upper floor has 2 rooms with 2 single beds, 4 rooms with 4 single beds, and a bathroom.
The Jonas building has a large common room on the ground floor—often used for sessions—and 14 rooms upstairs with single beds, closets, desks, and sinks (6 rooms for two people and 8 rooms for 1 person). Toilets and showers are separate and located at the end of the floor.
In addition to its abbey church, the abbey has a vaulted oratory in the private section that is open to anyone wishing to use it during their stay.
For meals, groups most often eat in the dining rooms of the abbatial residence (4 dining rooms). Retreatants, pilgrims, or any other guests may eat in their rooms if they wish.
Geography and activities
The region and activities around Sablonceaux Abbey
The abbey is located in the town of Sablonceaux, in Charente-Maritime (17), and offers a setting perfectly suited to spiritual retreats and rest.
Situated in the open countryside, it is surrounded by fields and numerous walking or cycling paths. Surrounded by the river "La Course de Sablonceaux", the abbey has spots for picnicking or fishing.
Other activities located near Sablonceaux Abbey:
- 10 minutes away by car, the thermal baths of Saujon offer treatments and therapies for people wishing to find renewal and rest;
- 20 minutes away, Saintes, a city labeled City of Art and History, will delight all history and heritage enthusiasts;
- 25 minutes away, Royan is ideal for walks along the ocean and for enjoying the sun
The fun fact that makes the difference: the most beautiful trees in France
Worth noting: in the private section of the abbey stands a magnificent American walnut tree! Planted around 1860, this 115-foot walnut has been listed among the most beautiful trees in France, notably in the September 1994 issue of GÉO magazine.
If you were hesitating to come, this is probably the little detail that makes the difference...
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