Two Abbeys, Two Destinies
At Saint-Wandrille-Rançon, at Fontenelle Abbey, time seems to stand still. If you take a walk there, you’re likely to come across a monk, a member of the community of around thirty men in black. Benedictine monks who, as their name suggests, belong to the Order of Saint Benedict. Monks who produce the only abbey beer in France. A beer that we can only advise you to try, in moderation.
At Gruchet-le-Valasse, the atmosphere is quite different. The monks deserted the site during the French Revolution and the Cistercian abbey has since taken on the appearance of a 19th century bourgeois château. Home to the Tourist Office, it also hosts seminars, weddings and events of all kinds, and part of its space is reserved for coworking.
