Sainte-Marie du Désert Abbey — Village de François
Sainte-Marie du Désert Abbey is a unique and fraternal place. The Village de François team welcomes you to this 19th-century abbey, surrounded by nature in the agricultural and forested hills of Haute-Garonne, just a few kilometers from Gers.
Alone, in a group, or with family, come experience a rejuvenating stay, a unique experience in this extraordinary place. This is the time to rest, to find (or rediscover) peace, to pray. Don't leave as you came.
Retreat, vacation, work seminar, or family celebration, you will be supported in creating a customized event.
Retreats organized by the community
The Village de François at Sainte-Marie du Désert Abbey
For over 150 years, Sainte-Marie du Désert Abbey has been a haven of peace where men both of the times and outside the times gain perspective on the world and for the world. Prayer and work have shaped the monks' daily rhythm for several centuries already.
In 2020, the Trappist monastic community regretfully had to leave the abbey. The abbey was then entrusted to the "Village de François" association.
The Village de François aims to develop and foster shared and innovative living spaces that bring together vulnerable people and their caregivers, around three pillars:
- Promoting authentic communal living filled with kindness;
- Restoring meaning to work by developing economic activities;
- Caring for our common home through integral ecology.
Solidarity and ecology at the heart of the project
Sainte-Marie du Désert Abbey seeks to network various actors in solidarity and ecology to contribute to the emergence of a more just and humane society and to develop innovative lifestyles that enable authentic communal living filled with kindness.
Sainte-Marie du Désert Abbey is a true natural sanctuary surrounded by nature. The Village de François team wants to prove worthy of the trust placed in them by developing a new way of life here: both innovative and rooted in tradition.
What to expect during your stay
The guest house at Désert Abbey: a welcoming place for everyone
The abbey guest house is open year-round and welcomes visitors every day of the week. Arrival is between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Once your reservation is confirmed, you can contact the abbey if you need to arrive at a different time.
Accommodation at the abbey guest house is in rooms, with several meal options: breakfast only, half board, or full board. All meals are served in the guest house refectory.
Geography and activities
The Village de François at Désert Abbey, a groundbreaking project
The Village de François develops and fosters innovative shared living spaces that bring together vulnerable people and their caregivers, around three pillars:
- Communal living;
- Economic activity;
- Integral ecology.
We aim to network various actors in solidarity by offering them a comprehensive and ecological vision of housing and work.
Discover the project and the meaning of this groundbreaking initiative in this video, driven by a spirit of creation and boldness!
Practical information
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