Our Lady of Peace Abbey - Chimay
Chimay Founded in 1205
Our Lady of Peace Abbey, located in Chimay in Wallonie, is home to a community of Trappistine sisters of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, direct heirs of the ancient Gomerfontaine Abbey founded in 1205 in the French Vexin. Faithful to the Rule of Saint Benedict, summarized by "Ora et Labora," the five nuns, from five nationalities and three continents, live by liturgical prayer and manual work: liturgical vestments and garments, bread, jams, and almond paste cookies.
Nestled on the edge of a small medieval town, the abbey is surrounded by forests, lakes, and green open spaces. Guests come to meditate and find renewal in a peaceful and harmonious setting. The renovated guest house welcomes visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and religious or philosophical traditions, whether believers or not. Students wishing to prepare for their exams are also welcome.
What awaits you
Practical information
Meals
Lunches and dinners are shared together according to the abbey's schedule. Each guest takes part in serving and washing up.
Liturgical offices
The offices begin at 5:30 a.m. with Vigils and end at 8:00 p.m. with Compline. The Eucharist is celebrated at 9:00 a.m. on weekdays and at 10:15 a.m. on Sundays. Guests are welcome at all the offices.
Accessibility
The guest house has a room with disability access. The abbey grounds are accessible, with a tree-lined parking area and evening lighting.
Meeting rooms
A large meeting room accommodating around sixty people is available for rent. Two other rooms are made available free of charge to retreatants.
Visits & activities
Guided tours offer a chance to discover the community's history, Cistercian art, monastic architecture, and a contemporary "Royal Christ" (1997) by artist Yves Bosquet.
Digital detox
Guests may leave their cell phone at the abbey entrance and collect it on the way out, for a complete digital detox during their stay.
Getting there
Coming by train from Lille, Brussels, or Liège, take the train to Charleroi then bus 109A to the La Bouchère stop (Chimay)
From Paris via A4 and A34, from Reims via A34 to Chimay, and from Charleroi via N5 or N53
On the RAVeL network (green path for walkers and cyclists): a route through nature and heritage, particularly from Valenciennes train station (France) or Couvin (Belgium). On the "route des abbayes" walking trail, from Orval.