Ardenne Abbey, Saint-Germain-la-Blanche-Herbe, France

Ardenne is the third largest abbey in Caen region. It was founded in 1121 by a small Christian community. During the 1789 Revolution, the religious community was expelled from Ardenne Abbey, the building's original purpose was modified and it was stripped of the furniture and works of art which had been collected.

On 7 June 1944, the second day of Normandy Invasion, the Germans took Canadian soldiers prisoner and escorted them to the abbey where eighteen of them were executed, in contempt of the Geneva Convention and prisoners’ rights. Other summary executions took place during this month of fighting. The abbey was taken back from the Germans on 8 July 1944. Today, a memorial at the site commemorates this tragic event. In 1994, on the initiative of the Regional Council, a first wave of restoration and development works were launched at the farinier, the stables, Bayeux gate and the main building.

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Caen Tourism

User Reviews

Florence P (17 months ago)
Free visit all year round to the exterior of Ardenne Abbey, which has housed the Institute of Contemporary Publishing (IMEC) since 1996. Guided tours in summer. Various events are organized here: exhibitions, conferences, workshops, debates, etc. (find out more on their website). The library located in the old abbey church is accessible free of charge upon reservation. Free parking.

Jean Pierre Michel “Jamet-14000*” DUCHEMIN-JAMET (2 years ago)
Third Abbey after the Abbaye aux Hommes where the Town Hall and the Abbaye aux Dames reside. An emblematic place in our Region.

Emmanuel HEBERT (2 years ago)
Participation in the penultimate historical guided tour of the place.... Visit led by an enthusiast makes all the difference.....

Niko Boubou (2 years ago)
Very beautiful place, to visit without moderation.

Fabienne Leboucher (2 years ago)
Gorgeous ! Beautiful little garden! Large car park! The concert in the Dimes barn was great!

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There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.

Ardenne Abbey

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