Abbaye de Valcroissant

Die

In November 1188, Cistercians from the abbey of Bonnevaux settled a few kilometres from the episcopal city of Die, near the Valcroissant torrent, at the foot of the Glandasse mountain, the southern rampart of the Vercors. The monastery, modest in size, follows the classic Bernardine plan: a central cloister surrounded by the abbey church of Notre-Dame — a flat east end flanked by four chapels, one of which served as a sacristy — and the conventual buildings; the refectory preserves carved and painted decoration of the 13th–14th centuries, an early witness to Gothic art in the region. Beset by persistent financial difficulties, the abbey was already functioning as little more than a farm by 1568, before being ruined by the Wars of Religion, converted into a farm in the 17th century and sold at the Revolution. Bought in 1893 by Jules and Pauline Dautheville, it was acquired in the 1950s by the philosopher Marcel Légaut and his wife; their descendants, with the association of the Friends of Valcroissant, pursue heritage restoration and livestock farming side by side. Listed as a historic monument on 25 October 1971 and never over-restored, it can be visited: chapter house, refectory, sacristy and part of the church.

Getting there : 5180 route de Valcroissant, 26150 Die; guided tour compulsory (€5, free under 12), at 5 pm on certain days from May to September (Monday/Wednesday/Friday in July–August); private car park and picnic area on site.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound