Carmel of Lisieux (Carmelite Convent)
About Carmel of Lisieux (Carmelite Convent)
The Carmel of Lisieux is a Carmelite monastery founded in 1838, where Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (Thérèse Martin) lived as a nun from 1888 until her death in 1897. The complex includes the Chapel of the Reliquary, which houses her remains and was expanded in 1923 after her beatification, and the Memorial Sainte Thérèse, a museum displaying original artifacts from her life. Visitors can see preserved historic spaces including the chapter room, refectory, and Thérèse's final cell, though the nuns' living quarters remain closed. The site draws over two million pilgrims annually, making it the second most visited pilgrimage destination in France after Lourdes. Entry is free, and the bookshop offers religious items and Thérèse's writings. The Memorial is closed during January.
Interesting Facts
Thérèse Martin entered the Carmel at age 15 after personally petitioning Pope Leo XIII during a pilgrimage to Rome in 1887. When the Pope initially hesitated, the young girl had to be carried away by Swiss Guards as she clung to his knees pleading for permission.
In 2002, the Carmelite community moved into a newly constructed modern building while preserving the original 19th-century monastery as a museum. The historic section remains exactly as it was during Thérèse's lifetime, with original furniture and personal items in place.
Thérèse's autobiography 'Story of a Soul' (Histoire d'une Âme), written in three manuscripts between 1895-1897, has been translated into over 60 languages and remains one of the most widely read spiritual texts of the 20th century. The original manuscripts are preserved in the Carmel's archives.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
37 Rue du Carmel, 14100 Lisieux, France
Website
https://carmeldelisieux.fr/Day Routes
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