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Discover magnificent abbeys close to Bayeux

Saint Vigor abbey in Cerisy-la-Forêt close to Bayeux in Normandy - France

Saint-Vigor Abbey of Cerisy

Saint-Vigor Abbey of Juaye Mondaye, Normandy

Saint-Martin Abbey of Mondaye

Abbey of Longues-sur-Mer in Calvados, Normandy, near the D-Day beaches

Sainte-Marie Abbey of Longues

Saint-Vigor Abbey of Cerisy-la-Forêt

Saint Vigor abbey in Cerisy-la-Forêt close to Bayeux in Normandy - France
Saint Vigor abbey in Cerisy-la-Forêt - Normandy

A site that I particularly appreciate for its beauty and tranquility.
Just 20 minutes by car from Bayeux by crossing small villages and the beautiful forest of Cerisy.

Website of the abbey HERE.

  • Open from April 1st to November 1st
    – April : every day except Monday : 11am-6pm
    – May to August : every day 10am-6pm
    – September : every day 11am-6pm
    – October : Saturday & Sunday only 12pm-6pm
  • Guided visit in French and English
    – May to September : every Wednesday at 3pm
    – July and August : every Wednesday at 3pm AND every Friday at 10:30am. 
    On own visit with a leaflet (French and English) the other opening days.
  • Small entrance fee

MY 3 RECOMMENDED STOPS ON THE WAY TO CERISY ABBEY FROM BAYEUX

The route that will take you to the abbey from Bayeux crosses pretty interesting places

1- Small villages including Noron-la-Poterie known for its pottery makers where you can stop to watch or buy local pottery.

Turgis pottery maker in Noron la Poterie close to Bayeux in Normandy

2- The beautiful forest of Cerisy, where you can hike : information at the Tourist Office in the « Maison de la Forêt » at the Montfiquet roundabout : website HERE.

3- With a slight detour of 5 minutes, the Château of Balleroy dating from the 17th century and created by the famous French architect François Mansart. This castle was owned by the Forbes family and then Roy Eddelman, friend of the Forbes family and a lover of France and art collector.

Chateau Balleroy was bought by Malcom Forbes in 1970 and then Roy Eddelman in 2020.

The Abbey of Cerisy dates from the 11th century but the oldest traces of its history and existence date back to the 6th century when an evangelizer of the region (Bessin) named Saint Vigor probably built here a monastery or a hermitage. 
It is one of the oldest and most important abbeys in Normandy and is a true jewel of Norman Romanesque art.
Once inside, grandeur and brightness are in my opinion the two words that best describe this magnificent abbey with its exceptional apse decorated with fifteen windows on three levels, its splendid ribbed vault and its south transept of 40 meters in length. The three-storey nave with its arcades of different sizes is also very beautiful. Also admire the 40 carved wooden stalls  that are the oldest in Normandy.
Once outside, go around the pretty monks’ pond (it can be a bit muddy if it rained) where you will have another magnificent view of the abbey.
Notice to photo lovers and photographers : you will enjoy !!

AT THE FOOT OF THE ABBEY : the Contemporary Sculpture Park of Cerisy-la-Forêt.
Stroll through this free exhibition of around 50 sculptures created by international artists. Some are around the pond of the abbey, others in a nice park on the other side of the road. 
Admire these very beautiful works of art in a unique natural setting : really, not to be missed !

Saint-Martin Abbey of Juaye-Mondaye

Saint-Vigor Abbey of Juaye Mondaye, Normandy

Around 10 minutes by car from Bayeux through the beautiful Normandy countryside.

A very nice and interesting site of over 800 years rebuilt in the 18th century to discover a community of regular canons of the Premonstratensian Order who still live there.
A canon takes visitors on a one-hour guided tour (in French and with a booklet in English) to explore the abbey church and the convent buildings where they live (sacristy, library, cloister, chapter room and refectory). The visit is really worth it.

You can also stay at the abbey (the « hotel » has 24 rooms : 17 twin and 7 single / other buildings can accommodate groups) if you need a spiritual stay or to recharge and rest in a quiet and peaceful place since the community welcomes all guests, alone or with family. All the details on the site.

Website of the abbey HERE.
A virtual visit is available on the website : click HERE.

  • Free access to the outdoors all year round
  • Saint-Norbert shop open every day :
    – Monday to Saturday : 9am-11:45am / 2:30pm-5:45pm
    – Sunday : 9am-10:45am / 2:30p-5:45pm
  • Office times : HERE.
  • Guided visits leaving from the Saint-Norbert boutique (in the building of the old abbey farm on the right when entering the site) :
    Guided tour in French only. 
    English-speaking visitors : a booklet in English is available to follow the visit.
    – From September to June : every Sunday at 3:30pm (except Easter, Dec 25th and January 1st).
    – In July & August : every day at 2:30pm (except August 15th)
    – Small fee for the guided tour.

Sainte-Marie Abbey of Longues-sur-Mer

10 minutes drive from Bayeux towards the German battery of Longues-sur-Mer on the coast.

This abbey is hidden along the road from Bayeux to Longues sur Mer and is really worth a visit : you will discover the beautiful remains of the church and the Gothic structure of the choir (from the outside), three lovely gardens and a pond close to the monks’ refectory. A place a little off the beaten track.

Website of the abbey HERE.

  • Opening days
    – From May 1st to August 10th from Tuesday to Saturday : 12pm-6pm.
    – September 1-15 from Tuesday to Saturday : 12pm-6pm.
    – During the weekend of the European Heritage Days on September 21 and 22, 2024.
  • Visit by yourself with a leaflet available in French, English, German, Spanish and Dutch.
    Small entrance fee (cash payment only or online).
  • Private visit possible (in French or English) by the owners themselves all year round on request and according to their availabilities.
    Contact email/price request : abbayedelongues14@gmail.com

This benedictine abbey was founded in the 12th century and has been listed as a Historic Monument since 2006. Today, a passionate local family owns it. An association was created in 2018 with the inhabitants of the village to contribute to the preservation of the site.
In 2019, the abbey was selected to represent the Normandy Region in the heritage lottery : thanks to this, restoration work began in 2021 in the church choir and the slates on the roof of the monks’ refectory are being changed.

A COTTAGE FOR RENT AT THE ABBEY OF LONGUES
An exceptional setting for your stay and by renting this cottage, you will help the association of the abbey to restore and preserve the site.

This charming and peaceful cottage can accommodate up to 10 people.
This is an independant house (which used to be the « lay brothers’ house* ») located beside the main building of the abbey with a private garden.
* “Lay Brothers” are members of Catholic religious orders primarily responsible for the manual labour and secular affairs of a monastery.

Rental condition : minimum stay of 2 nights outside French school holidays and from one week during school holidays.

For further information, click below :
https://www.bayeux-gite.com/welcome