Notre-Dame de l’Abbaye – Our Lady of the Abbey

Hidden behind this wall is Notre-Dame de l’Abbaye, Our Lady of the Abbey, an ancient monastery dating back to the Middle Ages. To this day, it boasts a charming cloister, the town’s oldest church, restored by Saint Louis in the 12th century, and a museum, the Musée Trésor, housing religious objects, manuscripts and liturgical vestments. They really go all out for pilgrims here: there are over 150 beds for them to rest, plus meals and even meeting rooms for religious, school or sports groups. And all this just a few minutes’ walk from the medieval city! Groups can book their stay all year round, while individual visitors are welcome from April to October. The 100-meter wall surrounding the monastery isn’t just any wall – it’s an open-air art gallery! You’ll find twenty-one murals depicting scenes of medieval conquests and historical events recounting part of the city’s history. Feel free to walk along the wall to discover each and every painting, and read the information signs to find out what they are all about. To visit the old monastery, you’ll need to call ahead and make a reservation.