Limon Abbey
Vauhallan Essonne Founded in 1816
At the gates of Paris, an oasis of silence
The Abbey of Saint-Louis-du-Temple, known as Limon Abbey, is a monastery of Benedictine nuns located in the commune of Vauhallan, in the Essonne department, at the gates of Paris. Founded in 1816 by Mother Marie-Joseph de la Miséricorde on an estate received from King Louis XVIII and placed under the patronage of Saint Louis, the community settled at Limon in 1950. The sisters follow the Rule of Saint Benedict and divide their days between prayer, work, and hospitality, with liturgical prayer celebrated in French and Gregorian chant.
On the hill overlooking Vauhallan, 25 kilometers from Paris and close to the Saclay plateau, the abbey offers a vast green space, a haven of peace and silence. The nuns welcome in their guest house those who wish to stop for a few days, find renewal, and take part in the offices. The site also includes a shop, a historical museum, and an art museum dedicated to Mother Geneviève Gallois. The abbey is also a stop on the via Turonensis, one of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela.
What awaits you
Practical information
Offices & prayer
The liturgical prayer is celebrated in French and Gregorian chant. The abbey church is open from 6:30 a.m. to 9:35 p.m. for the offices and personal prayer. All retreatants are welcome to participate freely.
Accompaniment
The guest mistress is available for a conversation or spiritual guidance during the stay. Depending on needs, a meeting with the chaplain can be arranged for a spiritual conversation or a sacrament.
Meals
Lunch and dinner are served on site. Two dining rooms are available, one of which is reserved for those who wish to eat in silence.
Walks
The abbey enjoys a lush, green setting. Many hiking trails are accessible nearby. Maps and trail guides are available at the guest house.
On-site visits
A historical museum (mementos from the Revolution, the royal family, and the foundress) and an art museum dedicated to the works of Mother Geneviève Gallois (1888-1962), author of "Le Petit Placide", are open to visitors. A shop offers books, religious items, and monastic products.
Getting there
RER B to Massy-Palaiseau, then bus 119 on the Vilmorin side (every 30 min, except Sundays and public holidays)
25 minutes by road from Porte d'Orléans
About an hour from Paris, easy!