The Abbey of Valmont

Valmont, or the mountain valley, is a little town not far from Fécamp that I usually drive through without stopping.

However, in Valmont there's an old stone wall partly hiding huge trees, and it's quite inviting. There's an abbey hidden there as well.

Last Sunday we made a little stop in Valmont and visited the abbey. A nun kindly explained its history to us, even though she certainly had other things to do.

St Mary's Abbey was founded when monks settled there in 1169. Later, during the revolution for instance, it was partly destroyed. It was saved from total destruction only when the Order of St Benedict from Lisieux bought it as late as 1994.

Today the abbey's old and new at the same time, and very beautiful.

There are several beautiful stained-glass windows. One was made of old ones by Eugène Delacroix, the painter, who visited the abbey ruins several times between 1813 and 1838.

The roof is new, made of wood, and suits the old stone walls very well.

If ever you visit the region, don't forget to make a stop in Valmont before paying me a visit, too.