© JM Rosier
© Abbaye du Barroux
Abbaye du Barroux, Le Barroux
Benedictine monastery famous for Gregorian chant
This monastery was founded and built in the 1970's and is now famous for its monks broadcasting their Gregorian chants live throughout the day.
You can also stay at the monastery on a spiritual visit, or simply visit the building to learn about the life of the monks, which follows a very structured day or to attend a mass and hear the monks chanting.
Part of their day involves manual labour - growing, harvesting and milling olives and making their own bread, which you can buy on the shop on site. You can also buy books and CD's of Gregorian chants performed by the monks.
Visit the website to find out more about staying at the Abbey or to listen to one of the monks' broadcasts.
Visitor comments
- "To go there for other reasons may not be as interesting or fulfilling, but if you go for the high mass on Sunday, many of the locals are there and the ceremony, solemnity, and beauty of the Gregorian chants sung by the monks is unlike other masses. It is very formal and structured with the Gregorian chants mixed with Latin and French for the sermon and gospels. The church itself, a relatively new structure, is beautiful in its simplicity, the alter being particularly so with its muted colors used to depict the 12 apostles and the small stained glass windows. Without anyone else in the church, it was a very peaceful and contemplative space. When the monks sang, the shape of the ceiling helped to amplify their voices which seemed quietly sung but loud enough to hear from anywhere in the church.We have been there a couple of times in recent years and enjoyed it. Like most monasteries, it has a "gift shop" - it helps with the finances." - Trip Advisor
