Abbaye de Hambye

Hambye

The abbey of Notre-Dame de Hambye was founded around 1145 by Guillaume Painel, lord of Hambye, with the support of the bishop of Coutances, for Benedictine monks attached to the congregation of Tiron. Built in the valley of the Sienne over roughly a century, it reached its height in the 13th century before a decline that set in during the 17th. The monastic community died out in 1784; in 1810 the church was sold and turned into a stone quarry, which brought about the partial collapse of the nave and facade in 1820. Listed as a monument historique in 1902, it has benefited from progressive restoration since the 1930s.

Getting there : Site open to the public (April–September, opening hours vary by season); the adjoining conventual buildings are privately owned

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

Ambient sound