Our Lady of Protection Abbey of Valognes
Valognes Manche Founded in 1623
Our Lady of Protection Abbey is a Benedictine monastery located at the entrance to the historic town of Valognes, in Normandy, about fifteen kilometers from the sea. Founded in Cherbourg in 1623, the community later settled in Valognes, surviving the Revolution, the laws of 1904, and the bombings of 1944, before the monastery regained its status as an abbey in 1957. Seventeen sisters today lead a fraternal life of prayer and work, following the Rule of Saint Benedict, within the Benedictine Congregation of Subiaco.
The sisters welcome individuals and groups seeking a time of silence, prayer, and deeper immersion in the Word of God. Everyone is welcome to join the offices and Mass. Nearby, Valognes and its museums, the D-Day beaches, and the coastal paths stretching to Cap de la Hague offer plenty of opportunities to breathe fresh air between moments of recollection.
What awaits you
Practical information
Meals
Two dining rooms are available. Meals can be shared with others or taken in solitude upon request. Three out of four houses have a kitchen where guests can prepare their own meals.
Accommodation
The guest house has 23 rooms (9 single and 14 double) spread across 4 houses, with a capacity of 30 people. Guests have access to two gardens, an oratory, a small library, and two small meeting rooms.
Groups
Established groups can be welcomed to experience a special time together with their leaders: movements, chaplaincy groups, or those on a spiritual search.
Manual work
Guests may join the Sisters in their manual work, such as gardening and housekeeping, at their own pace and according to their wishes.
Surroundings
The historic town of Valognes is within walking distance. The beach is 15 km away (bus available). By car: the D-Day landing beaches, and the customs officers' coastal paths leading to Cap de la Hague.
Getting there
SNCF train station in Valognes on the Paris-Cherbourg line. The station is a 20-minute walk from the abbey!
The N13 leads to the abbey from all directions
Normandy is a paradise for cycling