Monastic Map

The register

Entrammes, Pays de la Loire, France

Port-du-Salut Abbey

Abbaye Notre-Dame du Port-du-Salut

Port-du-Salut Abbey
Photograph: Rei Momo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

What it is

Religious life began here in 1233; in 1815 this was the first house re-founded by Trappists returning to France after the Revolution, and it gave its name to Port-Salut cheese. The last monks left in October 2025 after 210 years. An endowment fund of lay volunteers now runs the site with the Diocese of Laval.

What it needs

The abbey's own site says the diocese is looking for a religious community to settle there and bring the chapel back to life. Meanwhile the fund is raising money to restore the site, reopen the guest house and shop, and open a training center for building trades planned for September 2027.

Before you act. No budget or target is published, and the pages found do not say who owns the buildings or whether gifts are tax-deductible. A patron would need to speak to the fund and the diocese directly.

Sources

Last checked 8 November 2026. Parts of this entry could not be fully confirmed; see the note above. Responsible body: Fonds de dotation Port du Salut, with the Diocese of Laval.

Other houses to consider

Saint-Nicolas-lès-Cîteaux, France

Cîteaux Abbey

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.

Status
Appeal open
Works cost
€8m
Community
In residence
Order
Trappist
Founded
1098

Le Mont-Dieu, France

Charterhouse of Mont-Dieu

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.

Status
Appeal open
Works cost
€7m
Community
No resident community
Order
Carthusian
Founded
1132