La Cotellerie

La Cotellerie is a small monastic estate in the Mayenne department of France, within the commune of Bazougers, in the Pays de la Loire region. Set in quiet farmland south of Laval, it has served for decades as a religious community's home and a retreat centre open to visitors.

Where exactly is La Cotellerie?

The estate sits in the commune of Bazougers, in the southern part of Mayenne, close to Meslay-du-Maine. The surrounding landscape is typically rural, with scattered farms and open fields, and La Cotellerie itself covers roughly 50 hectares of land. Access is via local roads from Laval or Château-Gontier; this is not a busy tourist site but a low-key corner of the countryside.

Who lives there? A brief history

The domain belongs to the community of the Little Brothers of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer — the male branch of the Providence community founded by Marie de la Croix (born Maria Nault) in Toulouse on 8 December 1939. The group later moved its base near Saint-Aignan-sur-Roë, and with the support of many friends and donors was able to acquire the Bazougers property. The brothers settled at La Cotellerie on 3 July 1971, and the site has since grown into their permanent home for community life and prayer.

The church, chapel, and crypt

At the heart of the estate stands a church dedicated to Saint Mary, built between 1989 and 1994 in a deliberately austere, Romanesque-inspired style — simple volumes, thick walls, and an emphasis on the interior rather than external ornament. The same church holds a crypt dedicated to the memory of the martyrs of Laval, giving the site a historical layer tied to the region's own past. Alongside the main church, a smaller chapel on the grounds is used for the community's daily services.

What can visitors do there?

La Cotellerie functions primarily as a retreat house. It welcomes individuals, families, and groups looking for quiet, rest, or a period of spiritual reflection, with stays ranging from a few hours to several days; on-site accommodation supports longer visits. This is not a paid-admission monument but a living religious community, and guests may take part in its prayer life or simply enjoy the calm of its extensive grounds.

Frequently asked questions

Which commune is La Cotellerie in? It lies within the commune of Bazougers, in the Mayenne department of the Pays de la Loire region, south of Laval.

Who owns and runs La Cotellerie? It is home to the Little Brothers of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, the male branch of the Providence community founded in Toulouse in 1939.

When was the church built? The main church, dedicated to Saint Mary, was built between 1989 and 1994 in a Romanesque-inspired style.

Can you stay overnight at La Cotellerie? Yes. The site offers accommodation for individuals and groups on retreat stays ranging from a few hours to several days.

What is in the church's crypt? The crypt is dedicated to the martyrs of Laval, adding a historical dimension tied to the region's past.