Abbaye Notre Dame des Dombes

A Trappist abbey

The interior is uncluttered, in the style of Cistercian churches, with light pouring in through stained glass windows decorated with the waves of the Dombes ponds. In keeping with the rule of the Trappist monks, silence and meditation create a peaceful atmosphere that invites contemplation.

Founded in the 19th century, the Cistercian abbey of Notre Dame des Dombes was built thanks to the hard work of monks from the Aiguebelle community in the Drôme. The abbey’s construction was entrusted to the architect of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the Ars basilica, Pierre Bossan.

Today, it is run by the Chemin Neuf community, which continues the tradition.

It’s a quiet place, but one that’s still very much alive, with its own production workshops. With its know-how, the abbey community promotes local products.

Spiritual but gourmet!

At Notre Dame des Dombes, you can stock up on food for mind and body. The Chemin neuf community has been based here since 2003. The brick church exudes serenity. Don’t miss the Tibhirine oratory, with its Byzantine icons, a tribute to the sacrifice of the monks murdered in Algeria.

Icon and mosaic making, lectures, courses in philosophy, theology or history and local produce will enrich your visit to the abbey according to your needs, tastes and desires.

Children will be delighted to greet the farm animals and run around the orchard. Milk, cheese, meat, vegetables, jams, honey… are the fruit of the community’s labor. You’ll find them in the store in the form of delicacies to take away (sweets, apple juice, quince jelly…).

GOOD TO KNOW

The recipe for success: Musculin

This confectionery has been produced exclusively by Abbaye Notre-Dame-des-Dombes since 1867, when it was developed by Pr Fuster (Montpellier Faculty) and Dr Guichon.

Presented to Napoleon at the 1867 Universal Exhibition, it was classified as an overeating or diet product by the law of September 11, 1941. Recommended before an endurance effect, this fruit paste contains dried meat for protein, quince and orange jam, sugar and honey.

Since 1868, musculine has been produced exclusively at the Abbey from natural ingredients.

However, it had nothing to do with the courageous actions of the Abbey’s monks between 1942 and 1945. The Abbey, the only decorated site in the département, was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Legion of Honor for acts of resistance and the Croix de Guerre 1939-1945.

Abbaye Notre-Dame des Dombes

Elevation : 281m

1600, route de l'Abbaye, 01330 Le Plantay