ABBAYE SAINT-MICHEL-DE-FRIGOLET

In the heart of the Montagnette, the origins of religious life in Frigolet are lost in the mists of time. In 1133, an already well established community of thirteen white canons is mentioned for the first time. Its function was to serve the sanctuary of the Virgin who was then venerated here under the title of Our Lady of Frigolet. In the ^17th century, the monastery experienced a great influence, which was manifested in the buildings that were renovated (the chapter and the adjoining rooms) as well as in the sumptuous decoration of the chapel of Our Lady of Good Remedy. The religious were expelled by the French Revolution, one of the fathers was executed at that time, and the monastery was sold. A boarding school was established there for a while. The young Frédéric Mistral began his studies there. In 1858, on the advice of the holy Curé d'Ars, Father Jean-Baptiste Boulbon, restorer of the Premonstratensian order, bought the former priory of Saint-Michel. In 1866, the neo-Gothic church of the abbey was consecrated. In 1880, the Premonstratensians were expelled by the army and welcomed in England by the Duke of Norfolk at Storrington in Sussex. Back in France, they were again expelled by the anticlerical laws of 1903. The canons then went into exile in Belgium, in the abbey of Leffe, to which they gave new life. Leffe being at the heart of the fighting in 1914, the abbey was taken over by the Germans and the community was sent for deportation. In 1922, the ten or so survivors found Frigolet devastated by twenty years of abandonment. They immediately set to work to revive their house, which recovered in a few years. The brothers now devote themselves more particularly to welcoming visitors, passing guests, young people and retreatants, and all those who seek silence, rest, prayer or study. A religious community of the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Charles of Nancy shares the contemplative and active daily life of the Premonstratensians on the Montagnette. For a time of spiritual retreat, the monastic hostel welcomes for a maximum stay of eight days all those who wish to share the liturgical prayer and the meals of the community in silence. For groups, various other facilities are available: meeting rooms and a conference room, with a kitchen available for free management, large walking areas and playgrounds. An unforgettable visit is in order.