St. Cecilia's Abbey, Solesmes

St. Cecilia's Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in Solesmes with structures designed by Louis Duvêtre and Pascal Vérité. The compound includes the church, residential buildings, and organized spaces for monastic life and accommodations for visitors.

Dom Prosper Guéranger founded this monastery in 1866 as part of efforts to restore Benedictine monastic life in France following the French Revolution. The community grew rapidly and shaped the religious renewal movement of the period.

The abbey church holds a full-scale reproduction of the monumental statue of Saint Cecilia from Rome's basilica. This sculpture stands as the focal point of devotion here and draws those interested in religious artworks.

The site offers two guest houses with three bedrooms and a kitchen each, for visitors who wish to prepare their own meals or join communal dining. The experience suits those seeking spiritual time and participation in monastic daily life.

Under the guidance of Mother Cécile Bruyère, the first abbess, the monastery established multiple daughter communities across France and beyond. This expansion made the site a center of Benedictine renewal that extended well beyond its walls.

Location: Solesmes

Inception: 1866

Architects: Louis Duvêtre, Pascal Vérité

GPS coordinates: 47.84815,-0.30585

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:44