Solesmes Abbey

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Solesmes Abbey, officially Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes, is a Benedictine monastery in Solesmes, France. It played a key role in reviving Benedictine life in the country after the French Revolution, led by Dom Prosper Guéranger. The current abbot is Geoffrey Kemlin, elected in 2022.

The site has long spiritual roots. Before the abbey, a parish stood there, possibly dating back to the 5th century, and evidence suggests an even earlier settlement. The area was surrounded by a large cemetery, and ancient sarcophagi indicate activity in the Merovingian era. These parts of the site are still preserved today.

Solesmes Abbey was founded in 1010 when Geoffrey, Lord of Sablé, gave the monastery and its farm to Benedictine monks from Saint-Pierre de la Couture Abbey. The aim was to support the souls of Geoffrey and his family. The church at Solesmes was dedicated sometime between 1006 and 1015.

In the 12th century, a relic from the Crown of Thorns came to Solesmes and drew crowds for veneration. The relic is shown in the center of the monastery’s coat of arms.

The abbey faced hard times, including being sacked and burned during the Hundred Years’ War. It was rebuilt, and work on the church resumed toward the end of the 15th century. Two leaders, Prior Philibert de la Croix and then Jean Bougler, oversaw major restorations, added a tower, rebuilt cloisters and library, and created two groups of statues known as the Saints of Solesmes. In the 16th century, these masterpieces were protected from iconoclasm by the monks.

From the 17th century the abbey declined under commendatory abbots—superiors who did not always live there or exercise real discipline. In 1664 the monastery became part of the Congregation of Saint Maur, which helped restore stricter monastic practice.

The French Revolution brought serious upheaval. In 1790 religious vows were forbidden, and by 1791 most monks had left or been imprisoned. One monk, Dom Pierre Papion, continued to celebrate Mass in secret. After the Concordat of 1801, he served as chaplain of a local hospice. The abbey buildings were used as a country residence by a noble family, and much was damaged or burned during the upheaval.

In the 19th century a revival began. In 1831 Prosper Guéranger, inspired by the idea of restoring monastic life in France, bought the remaining buildings. The monks moved in in 1833, and by 1837 the community received papal approval and was raised to the status of an abbey. It became the mother house of a new French Benedictine Congregation and later helped found the Benedictine Confederation. In 1866 St. Cecilia’s Abbey for nuns was founded at Solesmes.

The abbey endured further trials in the modern era: in the 1880s the monks were expelled several times but always returned. Between 1901 and 1922 the monks were forced into exile in England, where they established Quarr Abbey on the Isle of Wight. They eventually returned to Solesmes and continued their work, even through two world wars. Today, Solesmes is the mother house of about two dozen other monastic communities, including a foundation in Lithuania. It is especially known for its work in Gregorian chant and the revival of the Roman Catholic liturgy.

Chant and liturgy have always been central at Solesmes. In 1899 a reform of Gregorian chant began here, and the tradition continues to influence liturgical music today.

The Abbey Church itself dates back to the 11th century. The Nave was built over several centuries, while the Monk’s Choir was added in 1865 by Dom Prosper Guéranger. The church houses a large organ and a collection of statues, including the Saints of Solesmes, located in the transepts.

Solesmes has two well-tended gardens. One is a small guesthouse terrace garden, and the other is the larger enclosed garden reserved for the monks. Visitors may enter the enclosed area only with permission, but guests can enjoy the peaceful grounds and the surrounding reflections spaces.

Life at Solesmes follows the Rule of Saint Benedict, a balance of prayer and work. Monastic prayer includes the daily Psalms, known as Opus Dei, and Lectio Divina, a contemplative reading of Scripture. Manual labor is also an essential part of daily life, helping to support the community.

Public access and activities are available to welcome visitors. Monastic offices and the Abbey Church are open to worship and prayer at set times, with exhibitions and the monastery shop open most days. Solesmes offers spiritual retreats for men, women, and groups. The Rule of Saint Benedict teaches that guests should be welcomed as Christ, and there are guesthouses for men within the enclosure, while women may stay in nearby houses in Solesmes village with suggested donations.

Since its refoundation, there have been seven abbots of Solesmes, including Prosper Guéranger, who led the revival that shaped monastic life in France and influenced Benedictine communities worldwide.