Melleray Abbey, Trappist monastery in La Meilleraye-de-Bretagne, France
Mellerey Abbey is a Trappist monastery featuring stone buildings with Romanesque design arranged around a central church area. The complex includes a cloister, chapter house, and large gardens that visitors can walk through and observe.
The monastery was founded in 1145 by Cistercian monks, and its church was consecrated in 1183. This early foundation shaped the spiritual direction that continues to the present day.
The monastery serves as an active place of prayer and contemplation, where daily monastic routines shape the rhythm of life within its walls. Visitors can experience this living tradition and observe how the community maintains its spiritual practices during their visit.
Guided tours are regularly available and lead through the church, interior spaces, and gardens in a logical route. Wear comfortable shoes since the path covers uneven ground and passes through various building areas.
The monastery's name comes from an old story where founding monks discovered a honeycomb inside a hollow tree. This legend shapes how people understand the origins of the place and its early days.
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