ABBAYE NOTRE-DAME DE LA PAIX

After the French Revolution, most of the monasteries were closed and monastic life was virtually non-existent. It was not until the beginning of the 19th century that the first Christian communities were reborn, born of the efforts of faithful who had not forgotten the orders and their usefulness for the parishes as well as for local life.

The community of Our Lady of Peace was founded in 1865 by the restorer of the Cistercian life of Sénanque and its founder at the Abbey of Lérins, Father Marie-Bernard Barnouin. He aspired to the monastic life, but did not wish to join either the Trappists or the Carthusian monks, as the constraints were so great. A small group of men led by Father Barnouin therefore began to live "as monk farmers". Soon, the Abbey of Sénanque, empty and in good condition, was donated to them. The Cistercian life that had been lived here since the 12th century led him to want to revive it, and he installed his young community there in 1854. After many difficulties in getting his "Middle Observance" approved by Rome, in 1858, a new Congregation took its place in the Cistercian Order, adding to those that had existed since the 15th century: the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception, known as the Congregation of Sénanque. The female branch of Lérins was transferred to Castagniers in 1930, on a site of exceptional beauty. Mother Marie-Marguerite de la Trinité, elected Superior in 1935, worked to develop the community. The monastery became an abbey in 1962. The Cistercian nuns make confectionery: chocolate sweets, praline bites, bars and jams. The abbey welcomes all those who are looking for a place of silence and peace for a time of spiritual renewal. Guests are invited to participate in the community's prayer. If they wish, they can meet with a nun or the chaplain.

Offices: Vigils at 5:00 am, Lauds at 7:15 am (7:30 am on Sundays), Third at 9:15 am (8:45 am on Sundays), Sext at 11:45 am, Ninth at 2:00 pm (1:30 pm on Sundays), Vespers at 5:15 pm (5:00 pm on Sundays) followed by 45 minutes of Adoration every day, Compline at 8:00 pm. Masses: 8:30 a.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. on Sundays and solemnities, 11 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month - Mass for Peace.

Reception: the hostel has fourteen modest rooms, five of which have two beds.

Store: the store is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 to 11:30 am and from Tuesday to Sunday from 2:30 to 5 pm. It offers products from the monastery's chocolate factory.