Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Paris

Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Paris (Abbey of St. Mary of Paris) is a former Benedictine abbey on rue de la Source in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, in the quiet Passy-Auteuil area not far from the Bois de Boulogne. Also known as the Abbey of la Source, it served for more than a century as a monastic community linked to the Solesmes Congregation, though its role has changed significantly in recent years.

How did the abbey come to be founded?

The community's roots go back to 1893, when the abbey of Ligugé established a priory in Paris. The monks first settled on rue Garancière, then moved to rue Vaneau, before finding a lasting home at 5 rue de la Source, in the 16th arrondissement, between 1897 and 1899. The building they occupied there remains the site associated with the abbey today.

Why did the monks have to leave Paris in the early 20th century?

The French law of 1 July 1901 on religious associations forced many monastic communities to disperse, and the Sainte-Marie community was no exception. Its monks had to leave the capital and take refuge in other abbeys belonging to the same congregation. It was only in 1919, after the First World War, that the community was able to regroup and resume common life in Paris.

When did the priory become an abbey?

Once the community was reestablished, its status changed: in 1925 the Paris priory was raised to the rank of abbey, taking the name Sainte-Marie de Paris. From then on it functioned as a full Benedictine abbey within the Solesmes Congregation, a branch of the Benedictine order in France particularly known for its role in preserving Gregorian chant.

What has happened to the abbey in recent years?

Like many religious communities across Europe, the Paris abbey faced a steady decline in vocations over recent decades. As a result, the monks closed the monastery in the summer of 2021. Part of the building was subsequently placed under the care of the Emmanuel Community, which intends to turn it into an international formation house for its seminarians.

Can visitors still see the Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Paris?

Since the abbey no longer functions as an active Benedictine monastery, and the site has passed into the hands of another Catholic community, access for visitors may be limited and depends on the building's current use. Anyone hoping to visit should check the site's current status and any Mass times or opening hours in advance. The surrounding neighbourhood — a quiet, residential stretch of the 16th arrondissement between Passy and Auteuil — remains a pleasant area for a walk, close to the Bois de Boulogne and the Seine.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Paris located? On rue de la Source, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, in the Passy-Auteuil area.

Which religious order was based there? The Benedictines, as part of the Solesmes Congregation.

How long has this community existed? Its origins date to 1893, when the abbey of Ligugé founded a priory in Paris; the community was raised to the rank of abbey in 1925.

Is the monastery still active? Not in its previous form — the monks closed it in the summer of 2021 due to declining vocations, and the building was partly handed over to the Emmanuel Community.