Notre-Dame de l'Ouÿe
Les Granges-le-Roi Essonne Founded in 1100
Notre-Dame de l'Ouÿe Abbey, in Essonne, is a guest house of the diocese of Paris nestled in the heart of a forest, at the edge of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse regional nature park. Founded in the 12th century, it has had many lives, from Grandmontine monks to Benedictine nuns and then Ursuline Sisters, before being restored by the diocese. Today it is animated by a fraternity of lay people and priests, young and not so young, single or in families, who are nourished by a life of personal and communal prayer: daily Mass at 11:45 a.m., times of prayer, chapter, and sharing of Scripture.
Less than an hour from Paris and very accessible by car or public transportation, the abbey is a haven of peace away from the urban bustle. The fraternity organizes innovative spiritual retreats for groups of young people, in a setting where heritage, nature, and modernity come together.
What awaits you
Practical information
Accommodation
The guest house has 70 rooms with 3 beds each (including 4 two-bed rooms accessible to people with reduced mobility), for a total capacity of 207 beds. Rooms can be booked in a 1, 2, or 3-bed configuration depending on occupancy.
Accessibility
4 two-bed rooms are accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Meeting rooms
Around twenty equipped meeting rooms can accommodate between 5 and 300 people. Spiritual sessions can be held in the chapel (200 seats) or in one of two 20-seat oratories, including a summer oratory in a 15th-century dovecote.
Dining
Two soundproofed dining rooms seating 250. Catering is managed by an outside caterer and offers varied menus based on market availability and seasonal produce. Breakfast is included in the room rate.
Getting here
Located 50 km south of Paris (A10 highway, Dourdan exit). Accessible by RER C, TER train from Paris-Austerlitz (40 min), or RER B plus bus. A partnership with a local coach company provides transfers from the train station. Two large parking lots available, accessible to coaches.
Park and outdoor spaces
A fully enclosed 2-hectare park open to all groups, with a ball sports field and an aviary. The Ouÿe forest (1,600 hectares) offers numerous hiking and cycling trails just steps away.
Getting there
RER C, stop Dourdan (1h10), or direct TER train from Paris-Austerlitz – stop Dourdan (40 min)
50 km south of Paris via the A10 highway (Exit 10, Dourdan), 25 km from Rambouillet, 45 km from Chartres, 40 km from Versailles, and 40 km from Évry
The abbey is only 3.5 km from the train station, making it a lovely arrival by bike or on foot!