In the heart of the Monts d’Arrée, find a valley, a forest and well anchored in the center, the Relecq Abbey, an old abbey dating from the 12th century secluded from the world. Set off to discover this exceptional site which is 90 km from your luxury residence at the Nature & Résidence Loisirs Le Kervastard campsite in Fouesnant!
Relec Abbey: History
In the territory of Plounéour-Ménez, in Finistère, the Relecq abbey, also written Relec according to the sources, is supposed to have been built in 1132 by monks who arrived from the Bgard abbey. Tradition reports that Relec Abbey was built on the remains of another Benedictine abbey dating from the 6th century bearing the name of Gerber.
Why is it called Relec Abbey? In reference to the relics of the fighters who died in the battle of 555 which opposed the armies of Conomor to the prince of Domnonée. On ancient charters, there was mention of the abbey of relics, in Latin, Abbatia de reliquiis, which subsequently became Abbaye du Relecq.
In the 12th century, Cistercian monks settled in Relec Abbey to stay away from men. They devote themselves to prayer, study, but also to agriculture to meet their daily needs and to encourage manual work. They even carried out hydraulic installations to ensure the irrigation of their plantation.
Relec Abbey: What to visit?
Relec Abbey includes a Romanesque church, a ruined cloister, ponds, a fountain and meadows surrounded by a moat, the remains of which are still visible on the site. The church, classified as a Historic Monument, is an essential Romanesque building with Cistercian architecture, unusual in Brittany.
The abbey site has a park. Originally, it was a vegetable garden where monks came to cultivate their vegetables, but today, nature has reclaimed its rights. From the time of the monks, we can only see the importance of water in all aspects of daily life. It is present in ponds and moats. But it is also widely exploited via numerous hydraulic installations, the remains of which can still be seen on the site.
To make your walk through the abbey even more interesting for children, a good number of activities are planned each year to help them discover the place and its historical and natural features.
Every year, exhibitions, shows and even events are organized to introduce the general public to a given theme. To learn more about Relec Abbey’s entertainment program, do not hesitate to contact them at 02.98.78.05.97 or at the email address: abbaye.relec@cdp29.fr!
Relec Abbey: Practical information
Official site :
https://www.cdp29.fr/fr/presentation-relec-l-abbaye-du-relec
Opening time :
- April 14 to June 27 and September 1 to October 3:
- Saturday/Sunday: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Wednesday/Thursday/Friday: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- June 29 to August 29: Every day from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- October 4 to October 31:
- Saturday/Sunday: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday/Thursday/Friday: 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Prices :
Free and open access for all except for concerts.
There is a charge for the accompanied visit.