1 hour’s drive from Le Kervastard campsite in South Finistère, discover Daoulas Abbey, a former 12th century abbey in Romanesque and Gothic style which includes a beautiful simple garden labeled “Remarkable Garden”!
Daoulas Abbey: History
Located in Daoulas, in North Finistère, Notre-Dame de Daoulas Abbey is a former abbey of the Order of Saint-Augustin which, since 2006, has been one of the 5 heritage estates of Finistère. It is managed by the public establishment “Chemins du patrimoine en Finistère”.
Its exact date of creation is unknown today, but tradition states that it was built in 1173 by Guyomarch IV of Léon, viscount of Léon, as punishment for the murder of his brother Hamon, the bishop of Léon. He installed regular canons of the Order of Saint Augustine there. In 1232, it was officially consecrated by the presence of the bishops of Quimper and Vannes. It then experienced a period of prosperity which lasted 2 centuries.
Following the Hundred Years’ War, the building suffered significant damage, but which was still repaired by Abbot Jean Guerault between 1350 and 1398. Centuries later, more precisely between 1519 and 1600, the abbey of Daoulas is transformed into a real construction site with new constructions, widenings and several changes in style from Romanesque to Gothic. At the end of the work, a first commendatory abbot was appointed.
However, in 1771, the Notre-Dame de Daoulas abbey stopped its activity and abolished its seminary. From 1792, it became private property and many owners succeeded one another. Some left it abandoned, others degraded it and still others sought to give it a second life like the case of François de Groësbriand in the year 1880 with his renovation work.
Purchased in 1947 by the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of Blois, the abbey became a school, then a rest home in 1960. In 1984, it was purchased by the General Council of Finistère which was responsible for transforming it into a cultural and tourist destination with breathtaking gardens.
Daoulas Abbey: What to visit?
Notre-Dame de Daoulas Abbey today includes a school, a cultural space, a church and a cemetery. It therefore concentrates several places of tourist and historical interest in a small space. While strolling through the abbey, you can discover the Romanesque cloister and the church which have been listed as historic monuments since 1886, as well as the entire porch which has been added to the classification as a historic monument since 2004. .
But what we appreciate most at Daoulas Abbey are its gardens called simple gardens, which bring together nearly 450 different species of medicinal, therapeutic, aromatic and exotic plants from all over the world.
The original idea was to create a green space inspired by the gardens of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to encourage lovers of walks to visit the place. But, over time, it has become much more than just a garden, but a whole meeting place between individuals and medicinal plant professionals who come to learn more about local and international pharmacopoeia.
Laid out on 2 levels, the gardens initially only included medicinal plants specific to the Brittany region. Then, the concept evolved to import plants from all over Europe, then Oceania, America, Africa and Asia. In 2016, a medicinal tree garden completed the ensemble.
In May 2021, Notre-Dame de Daoulas Abbey won the Victoire d’Or in the “heritage” category of the Victoires du Paysage, a national competition which rewards participants for their landscaping.
Daoulas Abbey: Practical information
Official site :
https://www.cdp29.fr/fr/presentation-daoulas-l-abbaye-de-daoulas
Opening time :
- April 1 to June 3 and September 20 to December 5: Every day from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- June 4 to September 19: Every day from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Prices :
Free for under 7s, €1 for ages 7 to 17, from €3 for ages 18 to 25 and from €5 for full price.
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