Located in the heart of the Dordogne, between Sarlat and Bergerac, in the center of the village of Cadouin, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the “Routes of Santiago de Compostela,” Cadouin Abbey and its cloister are a testament to the artistry of its builders.
A little history...
Founded in 1115, Cadouin was the eleventh abbey to join the Cistercian order, known for its commitment to the Rule of Saint Benedict: a life of poverty, austerity, and silence.
Originally, this isolated site was reserved for monks, but during the Middle Ages, a village gradually developed beyond the enclosure.
It is important to note that at that time, the village economy was linked to the development of pilgrimage and the growth of the monks' possessions.
Destroyed during the Hundred Years' War, the community of Cadouin rebuilt the cloister at the end of the 15th century in a style that was completely new for the time.
It is the only example of the late Gothic period in Périgord.
Although the monks ceased their activities in 1790, the abbey church and the Romanesque base of the convent buildings remain from the 12th century.
But it is above all in its cloister, rebuilt at the end of the 15th century,
that Cadouin reveals its full splendor.
Finely carved columns, elegantly intertwined vaults, delicate arabesques... This freshly restored jewel of flamboyant Gothic art opens its doors wide to you.
Thanks to the interpretive trail in the village, you can also stroll at your own pace and discover, among other things:
– the 12th-century church, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
– the recently redesigned monks' garden behind the abbey
– the panoramic view of the village
You can also discover Cadouin and its history through a fun trail, an original and 100% free walk with Terra Aventura
“Cadouin by a pilgrim” on the Way of St. James, which can be found at https://www.terra-aventura.fr/parcours
Cadouin Cloister
Place de l'Abbaye
124480 Le Buisson de Cadouin
Tel.: +33 (0)5 53 63 36 28
Group reservations: +33 (0)5 53 05 65 65
https://cloitre-cadouin.fr/fr/
Translated with DeepL.com
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