The explosion of spiritual retreats in France

Every Friday between 9pm and 11pm, there is a peak in visitor numbers and registrations ride ride. You can see this French website called Airbnb for staying in the monastery. The climax is not a coincidence, because at that moment the program Bienvenue au Monastère is being broadcast on the French channel C8. In it, 6 French TV stars share the silence of a Corsican monastery for a week.

Augustin Marbacher, director of partnerships at RITRIT, talks about the real craze: “We're seeing a real explosion.” While there are still 2,400 reservations on the retreat in 2021, the number has risen to 16,625 in 2022 and even to 51,387 in 2023. For January 2024 alone, there are 8,130 reservations for the retreat.

According to the religious sociologist Isabelle Junfo This phenomenon has been on the rise for several years or even decades. “This trend goes hand in hand with the personal development trend,” she explains. “In addition to the practicing audience looking to deepen their faith, there is also a large audience searching for themselves. It is very modern.

Guest fathers of monasteries and monasteries confirm that the audience is becoming increasingly diverse.

“For example, we welcome a lot of people who are suffering from burnout.”

“The fact that they follow the rhythm of life here, are guided by a brother, and can live in silence, is often a real life buoy for them,” the brother explains. Pierre Marie From the guest brother of the Benedictine Abbey of Fleury in Saint-Pierre (Loiret).

Isabelle Junfo explains the interest in monasteries partly by the fact that people far from religion consider them more hospitable than the local parish. Welcoming guests is also part of the tradition and spirituality of many religious denominations. Although this new fad could put pressure on this tradition, the sociologist of religion warns.

It is essential that societies maintain the contemplative framework inherent in their religious vocation withdrawn from the world.

The 10 best places for French relaxation

According to the French newspaper La Croix, these are the 10 most beautiful titles for spiritual retreat in France.

1. Notre Dame de l'Hermitage
2. Le Foyer des Souvreschoix
3. Abbaye de Lerin
4. Abbaie Saint-Pierre-de-Solemès
5. Abay de Ruis
6. Abbey Notre-Dame de Senanque
7. Spirituel de Benbock Centre
8. Foyer de La Flatière Charité
9. Priory Saint-Foy-de-Conc
10. Abbey Notre-Dame de Bonneval

Find and book your place via RITRIT

sources: Lacroix (French) – Lacroix (French)