Abbaye de la Grainetière

This abbey has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1946. A community of Benedictine monks has lived there since 1978.

Founded around 1130 for Benedictine monks, the fortified abbey was attacked during the Hundred Years' War around 1372 without damage. The abbey's golden age came at the end of the 15th century, and its influence spread throughout the bocage of the Bas-Poitou region. Partly burnt down by Protestants during the Wars of Religion in the 16th century, it slowly declined until 1760, when it was transformed into the residence of the fermier général managing the commendatory abbot's property. There were no more monks. Then came a long period of dormancy. Confiscated and sold during the Revolution, it became a tenant farm. Buildings, including the church, were demolished. However, La Grainetière Abbey was listed as a Historic Monument in 1946. Since 1963, it has been owned by an SCI, then by a not-for-profit association. It maintains and restores the monument with the help of the DRAC. Since 1978, a community of a dozen monks in frail health (the Notre-Dame d'Espérance community) has occupied the site. A resurrection that gives the stone a soul. Between 1963 and 2025, all the remains of the abbey were consolidated. The Association Immobilière de la Grainetière, the owner, with the help of the Association des Amis de la Grainetière and the monastic community, has launched a BIG PROJECT 2030 to restore the volumes destroyed over the centuries... to celebrate the abbey's 900th anniversary in style! It is the only historic monument in Les Herbiers and the only men's abbey in the Vendée still in operation. Every year there is a big celebration on 15 August.


VISIT CONDITIONS: (Excluding religious ceremonies)

RATES :
- FREE VISIT with historical and architectural brochure completely revised in 2024
-> Adults: €2
-> Children aged 10 to 18: €1
-> Disabled people and children under 10: free

- GUIDED TOUR BY A MONK (if available and if group >5) :
-> Adults: €5
-> Children aged 10 to 18: €2
-> Disabled persons and children under 10: free

For the guided tour, knock on the monastery door, to the right of the large wooden entrance gate and next to the green metal gate.

- Shop selling monastic products: Open in the afternoons from Tuesday to Sunday, except in WINTER.

The chapter house (chapel) cannot be visited during services, but it is possible to attend services.
Daily mass at 9.30am (10.30am on Sundays and religious holidays).