Abbaye Notre-Dame du Mont, Gothic abbey ruins in Watten, France.
Abbaye Notre-Dame du Mont is a Gothic-style monastic building standing on a hilltop near Watten. A preserved tower rises above the surrounding Flemish landscape and gives the site a distinctive profile.
The monastery was founded in 1072 by priest Olfride and became the first Augustinian establishment in the County of Flanders. Its creation was part of a religious reform movement that brought new orders and communities into existence.
The abbey housed an English Jesuit seminary from 1623 to 1765, serving as a refuge for religious scholars. Visitors can observe how this space functioned as a center for education and spiritual life.
The site is open only during summer months and guided tours require advance booking. It is worth contacting local tourist information or planning ahead to confirm exact opening times.
The tower was used by German forces as an observation post during World War II. This military chapter is still visible in the building's structure today.
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