The Abbey of Loc-Dieu is revealed surrounded by woods and water in the heart of a large romantic park. Stroll under its arcades and soak up the peace that reigns within the walls of this exceptional heritage.
Located in the town of Martial Just outside Villefranche-de-Rouergue, the Cistercian abbey of Loc-Dieu sits in the heart of a 40-hectare landscaped park. Privately owned, the building and its romantic garden are open to the public.
The Abbey of Loc-Dieu takes place in the heart of a 40 hectare romantic park deploying a variety plant essences and points of view.
Going up the main alley, observe the pond animated by various species of ducks, geese, swans and herons. Admire the reflection of the abbey in the water and appreciate the tranquility of this timeless place. Around you, several types of forests, from the high forest of old oaks to the woods of fir trees.
On the highest point of the park, climb the Watchtower 25 meters high. Its realization is the work of Jean Darcel, at the origin of the Parisian parks of Buttes-Chaumont and Monsouris and of the great waterfall of the Bois de Boulogne. From up there you will have a amazing views throughout the park and the surrounding countryside.
B. Vidao
Abbey of Loc Dieu
Come and enjoy a moment of relaxation around a water point and the beautiful gardens.
A singular architecture
In accordance with the rule of cistercian sobriety, the abbey has virtually no sculpture, no stained glass windows and no paintings that might distract attention due to prayer. Enhanced by the light of the sun, the ocher stone nevertheless appears in all its splendor to bring out the purity of the forms conducive to meditation. The abbey, the cloister and the chapter house thus present their finest assets. Contemplate this sober and elegant architecture while listening to the anecdotes of your guide.
During your visit, surprises abound. In the west gallery of the cloister, an element of sculpted decoration arouses curiosity... A character seems to blow into a woman's buttocks, do you think you are hallucinating? Let your guide tell you the story of this surprising sculpture.
A page of history
Classified as Historical Monuments, the abbey of Loc-Dieu was founded at the beginning of the XNUMXth century by Cistercian monks on a former haunt of brigands. On the border of Quercy and Rouergue, along a road leading to Santiago de Compostela, the location was ideal for the installation of a monastic community. The woods, the bottom of the valley and the water favored agriculture, forestry, fish farming and the life of prayer so dear to the religious.
When the Hundred Years War arrived, the building was transformed into real fortified castle. The family that has lived there for two centuries gradually moved upstairs without erasing the religious presence. The XNUMXth century abbey church, which has remained intact, houses the first Gothic vault on a Romanesque base in the former Midi-Pyrénées region.
During the Second World War, the abbey served as a refuge for 3 works of art from the Louvre Museum, including “The Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci and “The Marriage at Cana” by Paul Veronese.
The installation of numerous resonance holes in the vaults of the abbey shows the attention paid by the monks to the acoustics of the place. Today, let yourself be enchanted by the music during the many concerts organized at the abbey.
Exceptional opening on Monday, May 25, 2026 from 10am to 12pm and from 14pm to 18pm.
Last entry 45 minutes before closing: 11:15 for the morning, 17:15 for the afternoon.
Opening hours from July 01 to August 31, 2026
Monday
Open from 10:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm
Tuesday
Open from 10:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm
Wednesday
Open from 10:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm
Thursday
Open from 10:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm
Friday
Open from 10:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm
Sunday
Open from 14:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm
Last entry 45 minutes before closing: 17:15pm.
Opening hours from July 01 to August 31, 2026
Monday
Open from 10:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm
Tuesday
Open from 10:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm
Wednesday
Open from 10:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm
Thursday
Open from 10:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm
Friday
Open from 10:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm
Sunday
Open from 14:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm
Last entry 45 minutes before closing: 17:15pm.
Opening hours from September 01 to September 30, 2026
Wednesday
Open from 10 am to 12 pm and from 14 pm to 18 pm
Thursday
Open from 10 am to 12 pm and from 14 pm to 18 pm
Friday
Open from 10 am to 12 pm and from 14 pm to 18 pm
Saturday
Open from 10 am to 12 pm and from 14 pm to 18 pm
Sunday
Open from 14:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm
Exceptional opening Heritage Days 2026: Saturday 19 September and Sunday 20 September from 10am to 18pm.
Last entry 45 minutes before closing: 11:15 for the morning, 17:15 for the afternoon.
Opening hours from October 01 to November 01, 2026
Wednesday
Open from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Thursday
Open from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Friday
Open from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Saturday
Open from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Sunday
Open
from 14 am to 17:30 pm
Last entry 45 minutes before closing: 11:15 for the morning, 16:45 for the afternoon.
Opening hours from October 01 to October 31, 2026
Wednesday
Open from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Thursday
Open from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Friday
Open from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Saturday
Open from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Sunday
Open
from 14 am to 17:30 pm
Last entry 45 minutes before closing: 11:15 for the morning, 16:45 for the afternoon.
Opening hours from October 01 to November 01, 2026
Wednesday
Open from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Thursday
Open from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Friday
Open from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Saturday
Open from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Sunday
Open
from 14 am to 17:30 pm
Last entry 45 minutes before closing: 11:15 for the morning, 16:45 for the afternoon.
Prices
Min.
Max.
Individual child From January 01, 2026 to December 31, 2026
6 €
-Not disclosed
Individual adult From January 01, 2026 to December 26, 2026
8 €
-Not disclosed
General public group From January 01, 2026 to December 31, 2026
Our territory is full of a heritage rich in history. If you like the Chartreuse Saint-Sauveur, our abbeys, churches and chapels will seduce you just as much!
