ABBAYE NOTRE-DAME DE LA COUDRE

During the French Revolution, the monks of La Trappe were forced into exile throughout Europe: Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Russia and Westphalia. From a community in Darfeld, Germany, ten nuns settled in Laval in 1816, at the old priory of Sainte-Catherine. They followed their brothers, recently established in Port du Salut, to the banks of the Mayenne. The monastery became too small, and in 1859 they moved to La Coudre, south-west of the city. The abbey founded Clairefontaine in Belgium, Ubexy in the Vosges, Belval in Pas-de-Calais, Campénéac in Morbihan, Igny in Marne and Grandselve in Cameroon. To learn more about the community's history and spirituality, an exhibition is on display in the store's gallery. The monastery is open to retreatants, groups and young girls in closing.

Opening hours : vigils at 4am, Lauds at 6:45am on weekdays and 7:15am on Sundays, mass at 7am on weekdays and 11am on Sundays, tierce at 9am, sexte at 12:15pm on weekdays, none at 2:15pm, vespers at 5:30pm, compline at 7:30pm.

Reception: rooms in the monastery for individual retreatants; second place, the patio, suitable for groups. Maximum stay 8 days. Meals in silence.

Store: open Monday and Sunday, 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 12 pm and 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Sale of cheeses, pudding mixes and other gourmet products (confectionery, liqueurs, etc.), leather goods, sacred art, gifts, bookshop. Delivery available.