Abbaye Notre-Dame de Bonne-Espérance d'Échourgnac

Échourgnac

In 1868, Trappists from Port-du-Salut, in Mayenne, settled in an unhealthy spot in the forêt de la Double. They drained the marshes, brought the land into cultivation, and created a cowshed and a cheese dairy. From this comes the cheese called Trappe Échourgnac. The monks left the place in the early 20th century, and a local company kept the cheese dairy going. On 20 July 1923, Trappistine nuns took over the dilapidated abbey. Their community, born in Lyon-Vaise, had founded in 1852 the monastery of Espira-de-l'Agly, near Perpignan. Expelled by force on 4 October 1904, it had lived in Spain, at Herrera, from 1905 to 1923. In 1941 and 1945, twenty religious from Igny came to reinforce it. The sisters still mature their cheese and make jams and fruit pastes. In 2023, they united their finances with those of the abbey of Timadeuc, in Brittany.

OCSO — Abbaye Notre-Dame de Bonne-Espérance d'Échourgnac ↗

Getting there: At the place called Biscaye, 1.5 km from the town of Échourgnac, between Périgueux and Libourne; church, shop and guesthouse of the sisters open; Montpon-Ménestérol railway station.

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

Ambient sound