LOUIS BLADIMYR

Lovely abbey, worth a visit. The guided tour was only in French though. Not a big issue, but would've been good to know upfront. We left the tour and enjoyed walking around the abbey

Visited the abbey several times in the past years. It is a beautiful place. Last time (in 2018) we got a tour in the abbey church by one of the monks. It was very interesting. The museum shop has moved in another building. The monks sell self-manufactured tableware, religious books and food. The buildings are in good shape. The bell tower Saint-Nicolas is impressive. It's definitely worth it to participate in a guided tour. Have to speak French though.

In the charming village of Le Bec-Hellouin, with its beautiful Norman half-timbered houses, lies Bec Abbey (French: Abbaye Notre-Dame du Bec). The monastery was founded in 1034 by Herluin of Brionne, a knight who had left court life to dedicate his life to the Christian faith. Together with a few like-minded people, he established a Benedictine monastic community near his birthplace of Bonneville. In 1039, due to disappointing harvests, a new location was chosen further up the valley, where the monastic community flourished. After the arrival of Lanfranc of Pavia in 1042, it grew into an intellectual center where many diplomats and clergy, including the future Pope Alexander VI, received their education. The abbey flourished and grew, experiencing good times and bad: after two fires, a larger church was built in 1273, and fortifications were built in connection with the Hundred Years' War. Nevertheless, the English plundered the monastery in 1418. In the 15th century, the Tour Saint-Nocholas was built, and in the second half of the 16th century, the Huguenots, after a campaign of murder and pillage, left the monastery in ruins. Extensive restoration began in 1626, scholars and students returned, and in 1735, new, spacious buildings were constructed. As so often happens, monastic life ended during the French Revolution: the abbot was deposed, the monks expelled, and the furnishings were sold. In 1802, the army used the buildings as stables, and in 1809, the abbey church was demolished and sold for building materials. In 1948, the monastery was refounded by monks of the Olivetan Order under the leadership of Dom Grammont. The buildings were renovated, and a new church was built. The monastery is open to the public: highlights of this rather austere monastery include the Tour Saint Nuicholas and the faience pottery.

A beautiful village and very peaceful. Well worth a visit. Lovely food at the restaurant there.

A calm, serene place with an extensive abbey and a magniificent tower. It is in a beautiful setting enclosed by a lovely stone wall with a twin-towered entrance. Parts are still in use and part is being restored. Well worth visiting both the abbey and the village

Lovely village with half timbered houses and gardens full of flowers. The old abbey dating back to 9th century has close links with Canterbury England. Lots of history and peaceful gardens for contemplation. The eglise in the village with modern stained glass windows is a must-see

Le Bec Hellouin. Free parking for Motorhomes. Abbey very beautiful as is scenery around. A lively place to visit

Picturesque village with many half-timbered houses, very pleasant to visit. The abbey has interesting architecture and a relaxing feeling about it. The church is very plain and cool on a hot day.