SAINT BENOIT SUR LOIRE

The place and its people.

From the year 630 right up to our time men have lived in this place. That is what has given it its soul.

Around 630 we find the first mention of a monastery situated on a mound on the banks of the Loire. It is not until a century later that the monks from this monastery bring the remains of Saint Benedict back from Italy. Saint Benedict is the author of the rule for the life of monks, known as the 'Rule of Saint Benedict', that spread throughout Europe and is still a source of inspiration for tens of thousands of monks and nuns all over the world.

In order to protect the precious remains, the monks of Fleury decided to build a church worthy of him. The monument which we can admire today dates from the 11th and 12th centuries.

It still protects the remains of the father of the western monks, declared Patron Saint of Europe by Pope Paul VI.

Each year thousands of pilgrims and visitors come to admire the beauty of the place - a real light-trap, and gather in the romanesque crypt (early 11th century) to venerate the remains of Saint Benedict.

The monks were dispersed in 1791 during the French revolution but returned during the 19th century and re-founded a lively community of prayer, work and welcome that is still composed of forty brothers.

Each day the vaulting of the Basilica resounds to the chants of the monks along with those of the numerous faithful that intercede on behalf of all humanity and send up to God a prayer of praise and supplication.

Persons wishing to visit the Basilica are asked to write to:

(Brother in Charge of Visits and Pilgrimages)
Frère Chargé des Visites et Pèlerinages,
Abbaye de Fleury
F - 45730 SAINT BENOIT SUR LOIRE

E.mail : info@abbaye-fleury.com

Fax : +33 (0) 2 38 35 77 82

If you click here, you can read information about the benedictine way of life