10 Best Abbeys in Normandy (France)

Discover, in pictures, some of the best abbeys in Normandy to be considered for your road trip.
This French region is full of magnificent historical sites as abbeys used to be very powerful.  Some are still in use while others are in ruins, but all offer a unique experience.
There are many more Norman abbeys to discover but I have selected here the ones that I found the most impressive or unique and those with a particular atmosphere.

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Name of the Abbey -

Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel

Short history -

The first sanctuary was erected here in 708.
In 966, Benedict monks settle on the rock under the protection of the Duke of Normandy, Richard I. The construction of the current abbey started in the 10th century and continued over a long time. It was modified and restored up to the 19th century.
It became a religious center, but also a cultural one during the medieval age. It was known as the "City of Books".

Why visit -

Mont-Saint-Michel is a Unesco site, the whole fortified islet is an incredible site not to be missed. One of the Must-sees in Normandy!
And the abbey is well worth the climb and visit. The structure is massive on top of the islet. Considering the location, was is as a technical challenge!
It offers splendid views of the surrounding bays. The visit will take you through many rooms, it is like a labyrinth.
Highlights include:

• The massive façades as you stand at the bottom
• The cloister with its double arch framing
• The crypts
• And many more!

Location - 

• West of Normandy, on the border with Brittany 
• County of Manche
• Caen to Mont-Saint-Michel = 1h30
• Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel = 4h
• Cherbourg to Mont-Saint-Michel = 2h

Visit tips -

• Entrance to the Mount is free
• Parking is for a fee and entrance to the abbey is for a fee
• Official website - https://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/
• Visit early because it is a very touristic site
• Plan at least 2h to explore the abbey and at least half a day to explore the islet
• The visit is not for everyone - after climbing the streets to reach the entrance, there are many, many stairs, ups and downs to explore the inside of the Abbey
• Book your Abbey entrance online to reduce your queues
• Where to stay? See the best rated accommodations on and around Mont-Saint-Michel

Name of the Abbey -

Abbaye de Jumièges

Short history -

The location has been a significant Benedictine monastery since the 7^th century (founded in 654). But it was burnt to the ground by the Vikings in the 9th century.
Rebuilding started in the 9th century under the Duke of Normandy and a new church was consecrated in in the 11th century with William the Conqueror, when it was at the top of its influence.
Today you can see the ruins of various elements from the 9^th to the 17^th centuries.
It stopped being a monastery during the French revolution, leaving it in ruins.

Why visit -

Jumièges is the most famous of all the abbeys around the Seine River. It is often referred to as the « most beautiful ruins in France ».
There is something special about the location and the impressive structure it used to be.
Plus you can walk around in the park to get different perspectives;
Highlights include:

• The ruins of the nave
• The terraces in the park and the view over the ruins
• The 14th century porch entrance
• The façade with the 2 towers

Location - 

• In the town of Jumièges, inside one of the loops of the Seine River
• County of Seine-Maritime
• West of Rouen
• Rouen to Jumièges = 30 min drive
• Le Havre to Jumièges = 1h drive
• Caen to Jumièges = 1h40 drive

Visit tips -

• Entrance for a fee
• Official website: http://www.abbayedejumieges.fr/
• Quite easy to walk around
• Plan 1 to 2h
• Where to stay? See the best rated accommodations around Jumièges

Name of the Abbey -

Abbaye de Hambye

Short history -

Founded in 1145 by the Lord of Hambye, the abbey was very prosperous during the 12^th and 13^th centuries. It was home to Benedictine monks until the French revolution. From that time, it was partially destroyed. It was saved in 1956 by private citizens and then bought by the county.

Why visit -

On top of the impressive ruins of the church, the visit is fascinating because it is a full complex with the religious room and the living quarters including agricultural buildings.
Highlights include:

• The ruins of the abbey church - the perspective with what remains of the walls is impressive
• The cloister (disassembled in the 19^th century) and the chapter room from the 13^th century
• The parlor with the painted flower on the vaulted ceiling (from the 13^th century)
• The kitchen with the giant fireplace
• The agricultural buildings with old tools

Location - 

• West of Normandy
• County of La Manche
• North of Mont Saint-Michel
• Cherbourg to Hambye = 1h20 drive
• Caen to Hambye = 1h drive

Visit tips -

• Entrance for a fee
• More info: https://www.manche.fr/patrimoine/abbaye-hambye-N.aspx
• Easy to walk around
• Plan 1h
• Closed off season
• Where to stay? See the best rated accommodations around Hambye

Name of the Abbey -

Abbaye Saint-Georges-de-Boscherville

Short history -

There were already constructions here during the Roman ages with a temple.
Christian buildings were erected here from the 7th century, before the collegial church was built in the 12th century. And the monastic buildings date back to the 17th century.
Today it is still in very good condition.

Why visit -

It is one of the imposing Roman abbeys located in the Seine River valley.
The major highlights when visiting the abbey are 

• The roman architecture from the outside,
• The remaining details of the chapter house (from the 12th century)
• And the magnificent garden. You will enjoy a nice stroll past plants, trees and vines up to a viewpoint. When the sky is clear, you can enjoy beautiful views of the river. The gardens have been restored based on the plans from the 17th century.

Name of the Abbey -

Abbaye de la Lucerne

Short history -

Built during the 12^th century, the abbey has been restored in the 15^th and 17^th centuries. 

Why visit -

Its sober architecture creates a peaceful atmosphere. There are many buildings to discover:

• The impressive dovecote from the 15^th century - go inside to see the 1500 holes (my favorite in Normandy)
• The abbey church in the shape of a cross with a Romanesque portal
• The cloister in the heart of the abbey
• The impressive vaulted cellar from the 12^th century
• The side buildings with thatched roofs
• The mill and abbey lodge
• The Host building with wooden ceiling

Name of the Abbey -

Abbaye de Cerisy-la-Forêt

Short history -

The Abbey of Cerisy-la-Forêt was founded in the 6^th century.
The original monastery was destroyed during the Viking invasions in the 9^th Century. The new abbey was rebuilt during the 11^th century.

Why visit -

This is one of the best examples of Norman Romanesque architecture.
There is less to see than at other abbeys, but it has something special in my opinion. It is difficult to explain. It is probably the proportion and balance of the architecture.
Highlights include:

• The Roman architecture with huge volumes and the tall lantern tower
• The unique apse with 2 levels (to be admired from the inside and the outside)
• The Abbot chapel from the 13^th century

Name of the Abbey -

Abbayes-aux-Hommes

Short history -

Most architectural elements of the church date back to the 11th and 13th century, mostly of Gothic style.
The monastic buildings were established in the 11th century but later destroyed. They were rebuilt in the 18th century with a Toscan style.
Part of the building is now the town hall.

Why visit -

Highlights include:

• The beautiful perspective of the building from the outside
• The peaceful cloister with arches,
• The refectory
• The magnificent staircase…

Name of the Abbey -

Abbaye de Mortemer

Short history -

Founded in 1134, the Mortemer abbey peaked during the 15^th century.
However it lost its importance in the 16^th century and in 1790, only 4 monks lived there.
In 1792, it was sold to a farmer and the stones of the church were removed and most buildings destroyed.

Why visit -

Not much remains of the church. But the combination with a beautiful natural site makes for an enjoyable visit.
Highlights include:

• The beautiful dovecote with its Chestnut wooden structure from the 18^th century
• The only building is from the late 18^th century with a small museum inside.
• The ruins of the church and chapter room
• The pond and the forest behind

Name of the Abbey -

Abbaye de Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives

Short history -

Founded in the 11^th century, the church was rebuilt during the 13^th and 15^th century in Gothic style.
The Convent is from the 16^th and 18^th.

Why visit -

What impresses the most is the height of the towers considering the size of the town. It really dominates
Don't miss:

• The facade of the Abbey church with the high tower
• Inside the Abbey church - notice the pavement in the choir
• On the side of the conventual buildings, find the sign for the tourism office, you will find the beautiful cloister

Location - 

• District of Calvados
• South East of Caen
• Caen to Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives = 45min

Visit tips -

• Free to walk around, enter the church and enter the cloister (see tourism center office sign)
• Short visit of the town (also notice the market hall from the 13th century
• Where to stay? See the best rated accommodations in Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives

Name of the Abbey -

Abbaye Saint-Wandrille

Short history -

Founded in 668, the abbey of Saint Wandrille was one of the first Benedictine abbeys in Normandy.
It has a long history as a spiritual and intellectual center.
The current monastic community has settled in 1894. They are famous for their beer.

Why visit -

Today you can see beautiful sections from various periods including flamboyant Gothic decorations and medieval constructions.
Highlights include:

• The pelican gate leading to the village
• The cloister
• The remains of the 14^th century church
• The small chapel in the park
• The shop where you can purchase the famous beer

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