The Abbey Saint-Pierre in the village of Solesmes in Sarthe department is a Benedictine abbey whose origins date back just over 1000 years. In 1010 Geoffroy le Vieux (Geoffroy de Sablé) founded a priory which was to become the Abbaye Bénédictine Saint-Pierre-de-Solesmes.

The fortunes of the priory waxed and waned through the Middle Ages and into the renaissance period. At the time of the French Revolution, which outlawed religious vows, it looked as though the fate of the priory had been sealed when the remaining monks were dispersed.

A few decades after the French Revolution, however, a locally born cleric was to be instrumental in ensuring that the Abbey of Solesmes would become one of the most important religious communities in France.

Prosper Dom Guéranger – the founder of modern Solesmes

Born in Sablé-sur-Sarthe on 4th April, 1805, Prosper Guéranger often visited Solesmes during his childhood and was impressed by the life-size saints at the then church. After studying at school in Angers, Guéranger attended the seminary at Le Mans.  There, he was drawn to the study of monastic life.

Guéranger was ordained as a priest when aged only 22 years, requiring a special dispensation to do so. In 1831, hearing that the priory at his childhood Solesmes was destined to be destroyed for lack of a buyer, Guéranger had the idea of finding the means to acquire it and develop a Benedictine order. With the help of some friends and with his bishop’s support, he initially rented the property and removed to Solesmes in 1833.

A huge challenge lay ahead of Guéranger. The buildings were in a terrible state of repair and the embryonic monastic order lacked experience, had few adherents and virtually no funds. On top of that, Guéranger himself possessed only an academic knowledge of monastic life.

Guéranger was nothing if not an enthusiast for his chosen path. His humility, coupled with his optimism and good humour proved to be infectious. He quickly realised that he could adhere to the spirit of Saint Benedict’s teachings whilst adapting them to current times and soon became a beacon for others to follow. Because Guéranger was no stranger to Solesmes, his local ‘contacts’ would often provide assistance helping Guéranger towards fulfilling his vision. Gradually, the monastery began to assemble an ever more impressive list of benefactors. In modern parlance, Guéranger developed a synergy with many families of nobles.

After a four year experimental period of running a monastic order which culminated in 1837, Guéranger travelled to Rome to ask the Vatican for official recognition of Solesmes as a Benedictine community. The Vatican did more than just grant this request, it elevated Solesmes from priory status to that of an Abbey and constituted Solesmes as the head of a new Benedictine Congregation in France! From then on began a new period in the history of Solesmes.

Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes in the present day

Nowadays, Abbey of Solesmes dominates the valley of the river Sarthe and is located about 3 kilometres from the busy town of Sablé-sur-Sarthe, between Le Mans and Angers. Externally, the best views of the Abbey can be had from the bridge over the Sarthe which connects Juigné-sur-Sarthe on the north side of the river Sarthe with the village of Solesmes.

Nothing physical now remains of the original priory but, to this day, unlike many of France’s monastic sites, the Abbaye Saint-Pierre remains a working, closed Benedictine order. For this reason, public access is restricted to certain areas of the whole edifice but members of the public are most welcome to the services held throughout the day in the chapel. The Abbey is famed for its Gregorian chants and a service sung in the chapel can be an uplifting and emotional experience.

The Abbey Church

The Abbey Church has been altered and rebuilt many times over the centuries. Much of it dates from the 15th century but in the 19th century, under Dom Guéranger’s guidance it was lengthened and much of it was remodelled. The new choir, for example, was added by Dom Guéranger in 1863.

The installation of the great organ above the entrance door required closing the immense window which had once illuminated the bottom of the nave. This alteration has produced a striking effect. Standing at the entrance, particularly during the morning hours, the visitor can see a progression of light towards the transept in contrast to the darkness of the nave.

The scenes, hundreds of statuary and carvings in the transepts are remarkable for their intricacy and detail and merit a visit on their own.

Daily Services at Solesmes – Gregorian Chants

• 7:30 am: Laudes (40 minutes)
• 10:00 am: Mass (sung): 1 hour 15 minutes , (1 hour 45 minutes on Sundays & Saints’ Days)
• 1:00 pm: Sext (15 minutes)
• 1:45 pm: None (15 minutes)
• 5:00 pm: Vespers (35 minutes) – Thursdays 4pm in summer, 5:30 pm in winter)
• 8:30 pm: Compline (25 minutes)

Although the Abbey at Solesmes is a closed order, this short film (in French) gives a taste of life inside.