Hambye Abbey

The Abbey of Hambye is after the Mont -Saint -Michel is the best preserved medieval monastic settlement in Normandy. It is located near the district town of Percy in the department of Manche, in the Basse -Normandie in France.

The abbey was founded by Guillaume Paynel, the gentlemen to Hambye, in 1145. Paynel took the Benedictine monks of Tiron to build the monastery. The highlight of their regional significance reached Hambye in the 13th century, it is centuries of decline joined. In the 18th century the abbey was finally closed: during the French Revolution ( 1789-1799 ), the monastery was sold and then used for agricultural purposes. The church served as a quarry.

Today the Abbey of Hambye is open to visitors. In addition to the fully restored convent ruins and changing exhibitions of furniture, tapestries or religious ornaments can be visited. In addition, symposia will be organized.