Abbaye Notre-Dame de Maylis
Maylis Landes Founded in 1946
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Maylis, in the southern Landes region, in Chalosse, is a Marian sanctuary run by a community of Olivetan Benedictine monks who have been established there since 1946. Seven times a day, the brothers fulfill their ministry of prayer through the Divine Office, blending Gregorian chant in Latin with a polyphonic repertoire in French, a meeting of the great medieval monastic tradition and contemporary compositions accessible to all sensibilities. The sanctuary has welcomed pilgrims since the 14th century.
In the heart of the Chalosse countryside, between Dax and Mont-de-Marsan, the brothers await you to fill you with prayer, silence, and beauty. The Feast of the Lilies on August 15 includes a blessing of children and families, and the Feast of the Fields brings together the monastic and parish communities on the third Sunday after Easter. A shop and a bookstore round out the welcome.
What awaits you
Practical information
Liturgy
The Benedictine brothers pray seven times a day. Their offices blend Gregorian chant in Latin with polyphonic repertoire in French, and are open to all retreatants.
Organized retreats
Two annual retreats are offered to students and young professionals: the "Christmas Truce" (December 26–30) and "Take Stock" (last week of July), combining prayer, teachings, manual work, and personal time.
Spiritual guidance
The guest master is available to arrange personal accompaniment or the sacrament of reconciliation with a brother from the community, upon request.
Digital detox
The brothers invite retreatants to disconnect from their digital devices in order to fully experience the time of silence and solitude. Wi-Fi is not available on site.
Manual work
If you would like to make yourself useful, the brothers offer opportunities for manual work or small tasks — a way to integrate into the rhythm of the community.
Getting there
The nearest SNCF train stations are Dax and Mont-de-Marsan. Some buses run from each of them to Mugron and Hagetmau respectively.
Enter 455, avenue de la Chalosse, Maylis into your GPS to arrive at the right destination!
Attempt at your own risk!