Discover a superb royal abbey on the outskirts of Le Mans, which has become a cultural mecca for the Sarthe region.
A must-see tourist attraction on the outskirts of Le Mans.
On the death of King Richard the Lionheart, his widow, Queen Berengaria of Navarre, settled in Le Mans in 1204 and became "Lady of Le Mans". At the end of her life, Bérengère decided to found an abbey to rest in after her death. Acquiring the land for the foundation was difficult. The situation was resolved when the King of France, Saint Louis (or Louis IX), gave her the land of Épau (or Espal). Construction began around 1230, but Queen Berengaria passed away in December 1230, never to see the abbey during her lifetime.
Faithful to the Cistercian tradition, the religious edifice is sober and uncluttered, leaving room for contemplation and meditation
The jewel in the abbey's crown is the recumbent statue (13th-century funerary sculpture) of its founder, now on display in the choir of the abbey church.
During the French Revolution, the site was sold as national property. Saved from certain ruin by the Département de la Sarthe, which acquired it in 1959, the site has undergone numerous restoration campaigns since then, some of which continue to this day. The abbey was listed as a Monument Historique in 1973.
The abbey has become a major cultural venue in the Sarthe region, hosting a wide range of cultural events (temporary exhibitions, artistic encounters, concerts, shows, festivals, etc.).
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Further information
Opening time and information on ROYAL ABBEY OF EPAU
Open all year round. Exceptional closing: December 25 and January 1. Last entrance 30 minutes before closing. Adult : 5,50 €. Children (from 10 to 17 years old) : 3 €. Reduced rate : 4 € (job seeker, student, disabled person). Free for children under 10 years old and accompanying persons with reduced mobility. Guided tour supplement: 2 € (by reservation only). Groups (10 people): 4.50 €. Schoolchildren: 3 € per student (free for accompanying adults). School workshop supplement: 2 €. Opening hours : Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 6pm all year round, from 10am to 7pm every day except Tuesday in July and August.
Message from Management
Located in Yvré-l'Évêque, the Abbaye Royale de l'Épau is a listed historic monument. This 13th-century abbey is considered one of the finest Cistercian buildings in France. It offers a range of tours, including a self-guided tour with a booklet retracing the site's 800-year history, available free of charge from reception. There 'salso a digital tour, "L'héritage d'une reine", downloadable via the Guidigo application. You'll also find "le carnet de l'aventurier", designed for children aged6 and over, so that they can discover the history of the abbey while having fun, thanks toenigmas that will allow them to obtain a surprise. For individual guided tours ,a cultural mediator is on hand to share thesite's rich heritage. Guided tours are available for groups of 15 or more . During this tour, you'll learn about the lives of the Cistercian monks who lived here until the French Revolution. After your visit to the abbey, you can explore the vast park and gardens, or take a short break at the Café des Moines.
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Members' reviews on ROYAL ABBEY OF EPAU
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Seul bémol, l'accessibilité, parking saturé et accès tramway compliqué.