Solesmes The Abbey of Saint-Pierre of Solesmes

In 1833 a young priest of Le Mans, Prosper Guéranger, brought Benedictine life back to the empty priory of Solesmes, on the Sarthe. He worked for the return of the Roman liturgy in France, and his monks spent the next century recovering Gregorian chant from the oldest manuscripts. The chant books of the Roman Church were based on their work.

The monks still sing the Mass and the Office in Gregorian chant each day, and the faithful are welcome in the abbey church. In its transepts stand the Saints of Solesmes, two groups of sculpture carved between 1496 and the 1550s: the Entombment of Christ, and scenes from the life of the Virgin.

Further reading: Gregorian Chant in France: Monasteries Open to Pilgrims.

• The abbey churchThe Mass and the Office in Gregorian chant; the hours are posted by the abbey.
• The Saints of SolesmesThe Entombment of 1496, and the chapel of the Virgin.
• The abbey of Sainte-CécileThe Benedictine nuns of Solesmes, a short walk away.

• Via GregorianaThe Gregorian Way, six daysDay I, Paris to Solesmes · Day II, Solesmes · Day III, Solesmes

About two miles from the station of Sablé-sur-Sarthe, which is about an hour and a half from Paris by train.

• Le MansThe Cathedral of Saint-Julien, about 25 miles as the crow flies
• AlençonThe Birthplace of Saint Thérèse, about 44 miles as the crow flies
• ChinonThe Royal Fortress of Chinon, about 54 miles as the crow flies
• ToursThe Basilica of Saint Martin, about 56 miles as the crow flies