Do as the French and Europeans have been doing for centuries. Stay at a
monastery, convent or maison in many of the charming towns and cities
of France and pay a fraction of what it would cost you in any hotel.
And enjoy the inviting atmosphere of a house devoted to making people
feel welcome. Most include breakfast in the nightly charge. Some offer
half or full pension as well. Some only ask for a voluntary
contribution. There’s no greater bargain to be had anywhere in France.
There is no religious obligation and accommodations are open to all.
One of the regions often overlooked by many travelers from the United
States is Alsace-Lorraine, a setting of significant beauty, a land of
rolling meadows and vineyards bathed in sunshine and mountain forests
that grow right up to the banks of the Rhine. Here you will find a
patchwork of beautiful landscapes, outstanding architectural heritage
and handsome, region-based crafts that have been made for centuries.
Alsace stretches like a narrow ribbon from the Swiss border in the
south to the German border north of Strasbourg. The famous Route du Vin
winds its way through seventy-five miles of storybook villages past
houses with gabled roofs and chimneys topped with stork nests.
Influenced by the German language, architecture and cuisine and cradled
by the Vosges and the Rhine, it represents an altogether alluring
milieu.
The Monastere de Benedictines du Saint-Sacrement offers hospitality to
single women, families or groups. Recently renovated, there are 30
rooms. Baths are outside the rooms. And talk about affordability. This
particular monastery only asks for a voluntary contribution per person.
Contact: Monastère de Bénédictines du Saint-Sacrement, 1 rue
Saint-Benoit, 67560 Rosheim, France.
Tel: 0033 (0)3 88 50 41 67, Fax: 0033 (0)3 88 50 42 71
The monastery was used as a spa until 1862 at which time a group of
Benedictine nuns from Lorraine took up residence and founded the
monastery. The 18th century complex has a chapel embellished by a 16th
century Pieta. The monastery is in Roshein, a city that has been
inhabited since the Neolithic era. The first mention of the city dates
to 778 AD when it was called Rodasheim. The towers and portal have
survived the centuries and bear witness to the high status of Rosheim
during the Middle Ages. In the Mittelstadt, the old quarter, the
antique houses are embellished by pots of geraniums and quaint shop
windows.
If you decide to take the Route du Vin, Molsheim is a charming old town
near the north end. The town has remains of ramparts and an ancient
fortified gateway. It shelters the Metzig, a Renaissance building
erected in 1554. Truly Alsatian in design, the structure is accented by
gables, a perron (an outdoor stairway leading to a building entrance),
a graceful balcony and loggia. A belfry crowns the latter where two
angels strike the hours. The first floor is now a museum, the ground
floor devoted to wine tasting, Riesling, of course.
In Lorraine you can choose to stay in Sanctuaire Notre-Dame built in
the 17th century – one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in Lorraine. The
origins of the sanctuary date to1180. Under the care of the friars, the
pilgrimage developed and important religious and political dignitaries
visited the site. Lorraine is a border region that has been contested
for centuries. Its heritage survives in medieval fortresses, 17th
century bastions and countless battlefield memorials. A beautiful
blending of forests, mountains, cornfields and vine-covered slopes, the
countryside is laced with rivers and canals. It is also a region that
cherishes good food and superb wines.
Heading southeast from the sanctuary, the quaint town of Bar-le-Duc is
officially recognized as a “Ville d’Art et d’Histoire." The Ville
Haute, a Renaissance district perched on a promontory is an appealing
mix of quaint streets and alleyways. Egllise St-Etienne, heralded as a
jewel of Flamboyant Gothic style, houses the Transi, a masterpiece of
16th century sculptor Ligier Richier. The artists worked with highly
prized fine-grained limestone from nearby quarries. To imitate marble,
he created sculptures in stone and then covered them with a type of wax
polish, which produced a smooth and shiny appearance, much like marble.
Between Rambluzin-et-Benoite-Vas and Bar-le-Duc is an area of rich
architectural heritage and natural beauty. It is a setting of old
bridges and graceful buildings constructed from honey-colored stone and
here and there an occasional half-timbered house typical of the
neighboring Champagne region,
Lodging at the Sanctuaire Notre-Dame cost 15.00 to 31.00 Euros per
night. Half board is 21.00 to 41.00 Euros per night. The minimum and
maximum depend on the type of accommodation. Write to Sanctuaire
Notre-Dame, 55220 Rambluzin-et-Benoîte-Vaux, France.
Tel: 0033 (0)3 29 80 52 35, Fax: 0033 (0)3 29 80 59 00
For additional information: http://www.monasteriesoffrance.com.
Eileen Barish is a multiple award-winning author who has published more
than a dozen books on unique travel experiences. She has been a
contributing writer to National Geographic Traveler, Guest Informant,
Newsweek and other publications. Her books have been reviewed by more
than 500 major publications including The
New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Men’s Health, Gourmet Magazine,
Library Journal, Travel & Leisure, USA Today, Los Angeles Times and
the San Francisco Chronicle.
Her books include: Lodging in Italy’s
Monasteries, Lodging in France’s Monasteries, Lodging In Spain’s
Monasteries, Best Spas USA and Vacationing With Your Pet.
For more information: http://www.bestspasusa.com and http://www.travelpet.com
» left by Cathy (1 year 150 days ago.)
Thank you for this information. I will be travelling with a friend in July through France and hope this information will help us beaut the Euro. Thanks again.
» left by Anonymous (1 year 150 days ago.)
Hi Cathy
Thanks for your note and yes. staying in a monastery will help you
"beat the euro." Get the book that will help ... LODGING IN FRANCE'S MONASTERIES.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
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