THE ASSOCIATION

The abbey had been lying dormant for over 150 years… Would it disappear for evermore?

In response to this question, two friends answered “No!” and decided “Tomorrow, we’ll get to work!”. Soon, they had gathered an army of volunteers.

The abbey lying dormant in 1962
The abbey lying dormant in 1962

Manual labour

Scouts, farmers, youth volunteers and local businesses tackled the initial cleaning and clearing work. Thus the Association des Compagnons de L’abbaye de Bon-Repos was created in 1986. The associated signed a 99-year emphyteutic lease agreement with the abbey’s owner, Madame Le Cour Grandmaison.

The first volunteers getting to work in the cloister
Youths help to clear out the kitchen.
The first volunteers getting to work in the cloister

Project management

LThis sleeping beauty was finally awakened! These early and promising efforts were very soon rewarded, in 1988, when the association won second place in the “Chefs-d’œuvre en péril” awards, presented by the French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang.

Would this impetus suffice?

In 1989, a feasibility study conducted by Charles Perrot, chief architect of historic monuments, led to the development of a vast restoration programme.

No less than €3.5 million of work was carried out by the association, through cross-funding (municipalities, department, region, French State, Europe, own funds…).

Seeking funding for the restoration project
Receiving the “Chefs-d’œuvre en péril” award presented by Jack Lang in 1988.
The restored abbey in 2017
Seeking funding for the restoration project

The abbey comes to life

Contemporary art in the spotlight!

The Association des Compagnons de l’abbaye de Bon-Repos not only restored the abbey, it also instilled it with modernity.

The population continues to be fully invested in this adventure by taking part in artist residences.

Building “Oliphant”, a work of art by Andries Botha, during the Symposium de sculptures in 2008

Visitors discover “Diabulatoire”, by Jean-Marc Nicolas, produced for Atmosphères in 2006

Building “Oliphant”, a work of art by Andries Botha, during the Symposium de sculptures in 2008
Visitors discover “Diabulatoire”, by Jean-Marc Nicolas, produced for Atmosphères in 2006.
Building “Oliphant”, a work of art by Andries Botha, during the Symposium de sculptures in 2008

Bon-Repos Abbey: “Art experiences, history experiences”

Today, the project continues to align with the values upheld by the association for many years: solidarity, engagement, sharing, artistic and cultural diversity, dissemination and innovation.

Through a rich cultural programme, in harmony with the site, the association seeks to be firmly rooted in its local environment while being widely accessible.

Visitors discover the exhibition “Dans tes rêves !” in 2018
Both children and grown-ups are enthralled by storyteller DamEnora during the Christmas event at Bon-Repos in 2019.
Visitors discover the exhibition “Dans tes rêves !” in 2018
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