Founded in 1136 by Geoffroy de Lauroux thanks to a gift from Guillaume X, Duke of Aquitaine, the Abbey of Sablonceaux was a high place of prayer for the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine for six centuries.
Built in the heart of the Saintonge countryside, it proudly raises its magnificent bell tower at a bend in the road.
Deteriorated by the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion, it is reborn each time from its ruins. It offers an exceptional range of architecture from the 12th to the 18th centuries.
Since the 1930s, the abbey has undergone major restoration work with the help of Historic Monuments: initially the abbey church then, since 1986, the convent buildings and the outbuildings.
Saved today, property of the Bishopric of La Rochelle and Saintes, the abbey has regained its vocation by being entrusted to the Chemin Neuf Community which runs this spiritual, artistic and cultural center.
Sablonceaux Abbey is made up of an abbey church famous for its bell tower and its Romanesque domes on the nave. A recently restored chapter house which served the Chapter. On the first floor is the old canons' dormitory transformed into cells in the 18th century.
The canons' refectory was converted into an abbey dwelling in the 18th century to accommodate the guests of the commendatory abbot. It is made up of four large dining rooms with baroque moldings, four living rooms and a beautiful Venetian balcony. It is also possible to visit the granary and its magnificent framework which is supported by a succession of vaulted cellars, part of which hosts the exhibition and sale.
Finally, the monumental portal from 1788 offers a view of the large American walnut tree, planted at the abbey around the 1860s and classified as a remarkable tree by GEO magazine in 1994.
From June to September: reception at the store every day except Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m. Guided tours on the site in the afternoons from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m.
The rest of the year: the store is open every afternoon except Tuesday. Guided tours are offered on the 1st Sunday of each month.
Deteriorated by the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion, it is reborn each time from its ruins. It offers an exceptional range of architecture from the 12th to the 18th centuries.
Since the 1930s, the abbey has undergone major restoration work with the help of Historic Monuments: initially the abbey church then, since 1986, the convent buildings and the outbuildings.
Saved today, property of the Bishopric of La Rochelle and Saintes, the abbey has regained its vocation by being entrusted to the Chemin Neuf Community which runs this spiritual, artistic and cultural center.
Sablonceaux Abbey is made up of an abbey church famous for its bell tower and its Romanesque domes on the nave. A recently restored chapter house which served the Chapter. On the first floor is the old canons' dormitory transformed into cells in the 18th century.
The canons' refectory was converted into an abbey dwelling in the 18th century to accommodate the guests of the commendatory abbot. It is made up of four large dining rooms with baroque moldings, four living rooms and a beautiful Venetian balcony. It is also possible to visit the granary and its magnificent framework which is supported by a succession of vaulted cellars, part of which hosts the exhibition and sale.
Finally, the monumental portal from 1788 offers a view of the large American walnut tree, planted at the abbey around the 1860s and classified as a remarkable tree by GEO magazine in 1994.
From June to September: reception at the store every day except Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m. Guided tours on the site in the afternoons from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m.
The rest of the year: the store is open every afternoon except Tuesday. Guided tours are offered on the 1st Sunday of each month.
Activities on site
- Temporary exhibitions
Rankings & Labels
- Treasures of the Charentes
Location details
- In the countryside
- Village center
Themes:
Customers
- Groups welcome
Individual visit services
- Unguided individual tours on request
- Guided individual tours on request
Opening
From 01/01 to 31/12/2024, every day.
Open every day 9 a.m. to 18 p.m. from November to March (All Saints' Day until Easter) and 9 a.m. to 21 p.m. from April to October.
Open every day 9 a.m. to 18 p.m. from November to March (All Saints' Day until Easter) and 9 a.m. to 21 p.m. from April to October.
Prices
Payment method
Services
Services
Home animals
Accessibility
SERVICES
- Adapted services for hearing loss
- Adapted benefits for mental impairment
- Wheelchair accessible with assistance
- Reserved place for people with reduced mobility
- Walkway on one level
- Clear traffic area
- Accessible entrance
- Furniture/Reception desk suitable for wheelchair users
- Accessible table
- Possibility to drop someone off in front of the site
Linked offers
On the spot…
