ROYAL ABBEY OF LA RÉAU

It's a little jewel in the crown, a surprising place in the making. Built in the late ^12th century under the protection of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Royal Abbey of La Réau was founded by a community of monks following the rule of Saint Augustine. The abbey flourished to such an extent that its influence extended as far as Brittany. Fortified at the end of the ^14th century, during the Hundred Years' War, it went into decline before being reformed several times, first by Prior Louis de la Rochefoucauld, then by François Henin, in the ^18th century. During the French Revolution, when the orders were dissolved, the last monks left. Today, listed as a Monument Historique, the Royal Abbey of La Réau is open to the public, allowing visitors to discover its rich heritage. During your visit, which we recommend should be guided, you'll plunge into the history of the monument, of which today only part of the monastic buildings remain, and the charming church, which has undergone an extraordinary restoration project. Wander through the many refurbished rooms, discover the monastic cells, the magnificent ^12th-century chapter house and the keystone that once stood in the church. To attract the interest of the youngest visitors, a treasure hunt and calligraphy workshops are available for children. Our favorite is the monument game: "Sauver la Réau". It's an investigation you can carry out with friends or family, in which you are the hero.