Practical information
Authorizations and regulations
Documentation
Around the abbey
Contact
Explore the abbey at your own pace !
Two visitor areas are available :
the monastic buildings of the abbey (click on the brown area on the map)
the remains of the ancient villa and its mosaic decorations (click on the yellow area on the map)
The former abbey church of Saint John the Baptist is open to the public every day, all year round. The Abbots' Lodgings are closed to the public.
Explore the most beautiful ruins of the Landes region!
These 18th-century remains bear witness to the monks' final work. Restorations have revealed a simple yet monumental architecture that unfolds along the banks of the Gave d'Oloron river. A staircase descends to an exceptional cryptoporticus, a long underground gallery connected to a landing stage, whose beauty and rarity have made the abbey famous.
- Self-guided tour: : Audio guide, family booklet, etc.
- Guided tour : By reservation (maximum 18 people) Duration: 1 hour
- Unusual tour : Trobairitz sound trail By reservation - Duration: 45 minutes
Admire the decor of a luxury villa!
The abbey's archaeological site houses the remains of a Late Antique villa. The mosaic floors, characteristic of the Aquitaine school, have been restored and are on display in the former abbots' residence.
Guided tour by reservation only :
Maximum 12 people
Duration: 1 hour
Monastic buildings :
Explore the most beautiful ruins of the “Landes” !
These 18th-century remains bear witness to the monks' final work. Restorations have revealed a simple yet monumental architecture that unfolds along the banks of the Gave d'Oloron river. A staircase descends to an exceptional cryptoporticus, a long underground gallery connected to a landing stage, whose beauty and rarity contribute to the abbey's renown.
Available to all visitors :
- Visitor map
- Educational panels throughout the site
- Interactive kiosks
- Visites audio tour available for download on your phone (don't forget your headphones!). Phones can be borrowed..
To explore the abbey as a family :
- A children's activity booklet is available at reception, free of charge.
Brother Jean, the abbey's young monk, guides young visitors—and their parents—in discovering monastic architecture and the life of the monks: riddles, charades, spot the difference, coded messages, connect-the-dots, crosswords, and more. At the end of the visit, children receive a lovely certificate!
Two booklets are available for two age groups: 4 to 6 years old and 7 to 12 years old. - Games... but on the grass! A set of board games and a ground mat are available for visitors to enjoy a fun time in the abbey gardens..
Guided tours are conducted in French only.
Visiting hours vary depending on the season:
April 1 to July 5
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 2:30 PM
- Wednesday, Friday, Sunday: 2:30 PM / 4:00 PM
July 6 to August 30
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday: 3:00 PM / 4:30 PM
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 11:00 AM / 3:00 PM
September - October
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 2:30 PM
- Wednesday, Friday, Sunday: 2:30 PM / 4:00 PM
November
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 2:30 PM / 4:00 PM
- Tuesday, Thursday: 2:30 PM
Infos and reservations
Guided tour duration : 1 hour
Price : Abbey entrance (€5 / €3 reduced / free for under 18s)
Groupe limited to 18 people
Réservations :
05 58 73 09 62 ou par email
The Trobairitz sound trail
« Trobairitz », A strange and mysterious word? It's simply the feminine form of troubadour in Occitan!
This experience offers a 3D sound immersion into the life of Béatrice de Die, a female troubadour who lived in the 12th century. Follow the wind of voices; the poet still whispers at Sorde Abbey and secretly composes songs…
History and fiction subtly merge in this original creation that guides you through the abbey and reveals, step by step, the creative force of Béatrice de Die.
It's also an opportunity to discover binaural sound (3D sound for listening with headphones), a technique that approximates a three-dimensional reconstruction of the sound environment, just like in real life.
A creation by Léa Chevrier for Sorde Abbey.
The sound trail is only available in French.
Infos and reservations
Tour duration : 45 min
Price : Abbey entrance (€5 / €3 reduced / free for under 18s)
Public : Ages 10 and up
Reservations :
05 58 73 09 62
resa-groupeabbaye-sorde.fr
Ancient archaeological site and mosaics:
Admire the decor of a luxury villa!
The abbey's archaeological site contains the remains of a Late Antique villa. The pavement mosaics, characteristic of the Aquitaine school, have been restored and are displayed in the outbuildings of the abbots' residence.
Guided tours are conducted in French only.
Guided tour times vary by season :
April 1st to July 5th
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 4:00 PM
July 6th to August 31st
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 11:00 AM
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 4:30 PM
September - October
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 4:00 PM
November
- Tuesday, Thursday: 4:00 PM
Infos and reservations
Price: Abbey entrance fee (€5 / €3 reduced / free for under 18s)
Audience: Ages 10 and up
Duration: 1 hour
Group limited to 12 people
Reservations :
05 58 73 09 62
resa-groupeabbaye-sorde.fr