Saint-Nicolas Abbey (Abbaye Saint-Nicolas)
About Saint-Nicolas Abbey (Abbaye Saint-Nicolas)
The Saint-Nicolas Abbey is a former royal Benedictine abbey founded in 1627 by Charlotte de Hautemer, elevated to royal abbey status in 1631. This remarkably preserved complex showcases 360 meters of original 12th-century fortified walls and moats, a rare surviving example in Normandy from when Verneuil was a frontier fortress. The abbey features a neo-Romanesque cloister, 17th-century monastic buildings, and the recently restored abbess's parlor containing paintings described as a masterpiece unique in Europe. From 1947 to 1995, the nuns famously produced nonnettes, traditional honey spice cakes that became renowned throughout France. The cloister and grounds offer free access during opening hours, while comprehensive guided tours reveal the chapel, crypt, cells, refectory, and the historic biscuit factory. Advance reservation through the tourism office is recommended for the full tour experience.
Interesting Facts
When the last seven Benedictine nuns departed on September 3, 2001, the eldest among them was 102 years old, marking a poignant end to 374 years of continuous religious presence at the abbey since its founding in 1627.
The abbey's biscuit factory employed up to 10 workers with disabilities, combining the nuns' traditional craft of making nonnettes with a remarkable social mission that provided both employment and community support for nearly five decades.
Unlike most Norman abbeys destroyed or relocated over centuries, Saint-Nicolas Abbey has remained on its exact original site since 1627, making it an exceptionally rare example of continuity in the region's religious architecture.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
124 rue de la Place Notre-Dame, 27130 Verneuil d'Avre et d'Iton, France