Le Barroux Abbey

The setting, surrounded by hills and mountains on all sides, is magestic! I had an amazing 5 days and 4 nights here after my 1000 mile Chemin du St. Jacques. The monks were welcoming and kind, especially as I had been a pilgrim. For that reason, they would not accept money. They gave me tasks like moving firewood, splitting oak, and working in the mail room. The room was far better than many pensions or chambre d'hotes. The food, especially for lunch and dinner, was spectacular. The monks make their own wine and olive oil. For a Catholic, this gem of a monastery is truly going back in time. I heard Mass in the church at one altar, while many other Masses were going one at other altars all around the church. The silence and sublime atmosphere, are something I yearn to see again. I was not surprised at all to learn that Pope Benedict went to this monastery for his own retreats while a Cardinal.

The Benedictine monastery dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene is a very spiritual sanctuary. The 55 monks of the monastery with their ascetical life silently open before you a world of mysticism within you. The verdant nature that surrounds the monastery praises the Creator in an entirely different language than the pre-Vatican Council and Latin Tridentine liturgies used within the monastery. Monastery has a holy article's shop nearly run by the same monks of the monastery. You can find religious and mystical books as well as other items (eco friendly, most of them) which come from other monasteries as well. The monastery offers silent retreats and spiritual assistance to the pilgrims as according to the Benedictine tradition.