Maredret Abbey
Anhée Founded in 1893
Maredret Abbey, in Belgium, is a Benedictine abbey of women nestled in the Molignée valley, in the heart of the province of Namur. Founded in 1893 by Agnès de Hemptinne and six religious women trained at Solesmes, it is home today to around twenty Benedictine nuns from Europe, Asia, and Africa. Since 1960, they have no longer lived in enclosure: their charism of openness to the world leads them to bear witness to the love of Christ through a warm welcome, in prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours, and Gregorian chant.
Surrounded by high stone walls, the abbey overlooks the village from the top of a hill, encircled by orchards, vegetable gardens, meadows, and woods where perfect silence reigns. The sisters welcome guests for short or long stays and offer spiritual and artistic activities: days of renewal, retreats, illumination, calligraphy, and transmission of the teachings of Saint Hildegard of Bingen.
Getting there
Head to Namur train station, then take a bus that will drop you off 700 meters from the abbey (note: buses run sporadically!).
Allow 3.5 hours from Paris, one hour from Brussels and Liège, and 30 minutes from Charleroi and Namur.
Wallonia is not exactly flat country — it's hilly terrain!