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.

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The romantic park: an idyllic setting

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.

Unusual discovery

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 Look out, 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.

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Did you know?

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.

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Interior of the abbey
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Musical season

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.

Visit the Loc-Dieu Abbey

Opening hours from July 01 to August 31, 2025
Monday Open from 10 am to 18 pm
Tuesday Open from 10 am to 18 pm
Wednesday Open from 10 am to 18 pm
Thursday Open from 10 am to 18 pm
Friday Open from 10 am to 18 pm
Sunday Open from 14 am to 18 pm

The abbey and its grounds are exceptionally closed on Saturday, July 12th and Sunday, July 13th inclusive. They will reopen on Monday, July 14th at 10 a.m.

Opening hours from July 12 to July 13, 2025
Open on Saturday Open
Sunday Open

We are exceptionally closed on Saturday, July 12th and Sunday, July 13th, 202 inclusive. We will reopen on Monday, July 14th.

Opening hours from September 01 to September 30, 2025
Wednesday Open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Thursday Open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Friday Open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Open on Saturday Open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m.
Sunday Open from 14 am to 18 pm
Opening hours from October 01 to November 02, 2025
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.
Open on Saturday Open from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Sunday Opening hours 14 pm - 17 PM
Pricing Min. Max.
Individual adult
7 € Not disclosed
Individual child
5,50 € Not disclosed
General public group
5,50 € Not disclosed

Good deal: Multisite Advantage

You will be able to benefit from a reduction offer to visit the Loc-Dieu abbey if you have an entrance ticket for one of these four visiting sites:

Learn more about this offer

  • Parking
  • Coach parking
  • Toilet
  • Picnic area.
  • Accessible to disabled people
  • Service – Partly outside and partly covered
  • Shop
  • Guided group tours
  • Guided tours
Open. Closes at 18:00 p.m.
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