Mondaye received the Rule of Saint Augustine in 1200 and joined the Premonstratensian Order in 1210. The abbey was rebuilt in the Classical style between 1704 and 1763 to the designs of one of its own canons, Eustache Restout. The canons returned in 1859 and, after an expulsion in 1902, again in 1921.
What it needs
The roof of the north wing, above a library of about 70,000 books, is full of holes; after storm Ciaran in November 2023 thirty buckets were catching water between the shelves. All 600 square meters of slate must be relaid and the attic fitted out for the archives. The first phase is planned for spring 2027 and the State's share came in lower than announced.
Before you act. The abbey's works page is undated and calls this 'Projet 2027'. It says a sum equivalent to the 120,000 euros already raised remains to be found (about 113,000 euros by subtraction). Gifts go through the Fondation des Monastères using the code on the abbey's page.
The Définitoire was damaged by fire in the 19th century, is largely disused and is described by the Fondation du patrimoine as in a state of peril; walls and roof come first. Once saved it is to house a study and research center holding the archives of the order, plus exhibition space. Works began in March 2025 and the donation drive is under half way to its target.
On the morning of 2 November 2025 a fire gutted the main building, leaving only walls and a few vaults and destroying the original timber roof and painted beams. The owners first need to protect the exposed masonry, then rebuild frame and roof. Insurance is capped, so the Fondation du patrimoine opened an emergency collection.
