Carmel de Fouquières

The former Carmel de Fouquières-lès-Béthune, in the Pas-de-Calais department, welcomes retreatants in a residence that was, in the 16th century, the château of the governor of Béthune. Carmelite nuns lived there for a century, from 1922 until their departure in 2023. Since September 2024, two priests of the Fraternité Saint Thomas Becket have been bringing the house back to life. The enclosed grounds include an orchard, a kitchen garden, a watercress bed fed by the Saint-Martin spring that rises beneath the house, the procession courtyard, and the former sisters' cemetery. The park is bordered by a cow pasture and a grove of trembling aspens.

The Fraternité Saint Thomas Becket is not a Carmelite order: it is a community of secular priests founded by Father Jean-Pierre Gac, oriented toward young people and families, with a special place for scouting. Its priests are recognized by their green hooded habit. At Fouquières, they live according to a rhythm of three offices a day and celebrate Mass in Latin, sung in Gregorian chant. They lead silent retreats inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius and also welcome groups, scouts, and students preparing for exams. The 14 rooms, accommodating one to three people, have a washbasin; showers and restrooms are in the hallway.