Echourgnac Abbey
Échourgnac Dordogne Founded in 1852
Disconnect and breathe, in the heart of a preserved forest
Echourgnac Abbey, in the Dordogne, is a community of Cistercian nuns, a reformed branch of the Benedictines that was born at Cîteaux in 1098. Founded in 1852 in the Pyrénées-Orientales and established at Échourgnac since 1923, the community today brings together twenty-two sisters, ranging in age from 26 to 98. Faithful to the Benedictine Rule and to the liturgical beauty so dear to the order, the sisters sing and pray to God seven times a day.
At the heart of a natural forest reserve, the abbey welcomes into its guest house those seeking silence and spiritual renewal, whether individuals or organized groups. A retreat here is a time for reading, prayer, meditation, and walking: each person organizes their stay at their own pace and may freely participate in the Liturgy of the Hours.
What awaits you
Practical information
Offices & prayer
The sisters sing and pray to God seven times a day. Retreatants are welcome to participate freely in the Liturgy of the Hours.
Accompaniment
The guest mistress is available to retreatants. To meet with a priest, retreatants may contact the chaplain.
Manual work
The community invites retreatants to take part in daily manual tasks, particularly in the kitchen and outdoors with the sisters.
Walks & nature
There is a wooded area with walking paths, the Notre-Dame-des-Bois sanctuary, the Pinède trail (1.5 km), and a Saint James Way path running along the enclosure wall. A Terra Aventura trail has been available since 2021.
Getting there
Montpon-Ménésterol train station
On-site parking
You can also come by bike (Alaphilippe world champion)