Abbaye du repos de Notre-Dame de Marquette

The Abbaye du repos de Notre-Dame de Marquette is a Cistercian abbey in Marquette-lez-Lille with medieval stone buildings featuring pointed arches and ribbed vaults. The complex shows the layout of structures from different periods, with remains that reveal how the original monastery was organized.

The monastery was founded in 1226 and served as a burial place for nobility over several centuries. During the French Revolution, the abbey lost its religious function and purpose.

The abbey takes its name from the repose of the Virgin Mary, reflecting medieval devotion to Mary that shaped monastic life. You can see how the layout of buildings organized the daily rhythm of the monks who lived here.

The grounds are open to visitors, though some areas are only accessible during guided tours that run throughout the week. Check ahead to find out which times work best and whether you need to book in advance.

Excavations between 2005 and 2007 uncovered Merovingian tombs and stone capitals, showing that people had lived at this site long before the abbey was built. These discoveries reveal that the ground has been important to communities for thousands of years.