ABBAYE NOTRE DAME DE GANAGOBIE

Overlooking the Durance valley, the Ganagobie plateau bears witness to a long-standing human and monastic presence. Before becoming bishop of Sisteron in 964 and ceding his property to the Cluny abbey, Jean rebuilt a church dedicated to Notre-Dame and a chapel to Saint Jean-Baptiste. The monastery flourished and prospered in the ^12th and ^13th centuries, but fell into commendation in the following centuries. From 1632 to 1690, under the priorate of Jacques (Richelieu's librarian) and Pierre de Gaffarel, the abbey was reborn. In 1789, the priory was closed and sold as national property in 1791. In 1794, the choir, transept and eastern part of the monastery were demolished. The Benedictines of Sainte-Madeleine-de-Marseille, to whom the Count of Malijay ceded the monastery in 1891, then undertook its restoration. But the anti-clerical laws of 1901 interrupted the work, and the monks went into exile in Italy. In 1922, the Benedictines of Hautecombe Abbey in Savoie took over permanent residence at Ganagobie. From 1953 to 1992, a succession of works were carried out: opening of a tarmac road to the priory, raising of the church transept, restoration of medieval mosaics, unearthing of an abbey church and a ^9th-century necropolis, and finally extension of the monastery. On completion of these projects, the Hautecombe community left Savoie to live at Ganagobie in the spirit of Saint Benedict and Dom Guéranger. Hospitality is extended to all who wish to take time out for silence and prayer, reflection, listening and comfort.

Offices: Vigils at 5am, Lauds at 7am, Mass at 9am on weekdays and 10am on Sundays, Sext at 12pm, None at 1:45pm, Vespers at 5:30pm, Compline at 8:15pm. Schedules subject to change on approximately every 3rd Monday ("Lundis de rupture de rythme").

Accommodation: 14 rooms (single and double), capacity 17 people. Full board (in the refectory with the brothers for men, in the hostel dining room for women). Outside guesthouse 10 minutes from the monastery (in a place called "Les Ecoles") for independent groups of young people, accommodating 30 people.

Store : open year-round, Tuesday to Sunday, Mondays in high season. Opening hours vary according to season. Sale of gourmet products (olive oil, jams, honey...), cosmetics (soaps, perfumes...), CDs, miscellaneous. Delivery (online store).