ROYAL ABBEY OF LA RÉAU

It's a little jewel in the crown, a surprising place in the making. Built in the late ^12th century under the protection of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Royal Abbey of La Réau was founded by a community of monks following the rule of Saint Augustine. The abbey flourished to such an extent that its influence extended as far as Brittany. Fortified at the end of the ^14th century, during the Hundred Years' War, it went into decline before being reformed several times, first by Prior Louis de la Rochefoucauld, then by François Henin, in the ^18th century. The last monks left the monastery during the French Revolution, when the orders were dissolved. Today, listed as a Monument Historique, the Royal Abbey of La Réau is open to the public, allowing visitors to discover its rich heritage. During the visit, which we recommend should be guided, you'll plunge into the history of the monument, of which today only part of the monastic buildings remain, as well as the charming open-air church (which is about to get its roof back!). You'll stroll through the building's many refurbished rooms, discover the monastic cells, the magnificent ^12th-century chapter house and the keystone that once stood in the church, while the various stages of the restoration work underway are explained. To attract the interest of younger visitors, there are a number of activities on offer (treasure hunts, photo safaris, calligraphy, etc.). Our favorite is the monument game: "Sauver la Réau". It's an investigation you can carry out with friends or family, in which you are the hero.