Solesmes Abbey

About

Dating back to 1010, this Benedictine abbey had its ups and downs through its long history. While it burned down once, the biggest crisis came after the French Revolution. The government prohibited all religious activity and ordered the monastery be shut down. The monks who resisted were sent to Jersey - an island in the English Channel. It took another 40 years before the Benedictine monastic life could be restored, being among the first in France to do so. The monastery never fully recovered as several parts of it were destroyed. Visitors can enjoy looking at the abbey's imposing silhouette, though only the church is open for visits. The church transept contains expertly carved depictions of the Entombment of Christ and episodes of the Virgin's life, which are considered masterpieces of the French Renaissance.