An old Cistercian abbey founded in the 12th century nestles in a peaceful, verdant setting.
Nowadays, the abbey church site of Élan includes: the 16th-century abbey manor, flanked by four towers and boasting a superb chestnut wood roof in the shape of an upturned boat hull; the 17th-century abbey manse which is now home to the tourist office, as well as an exhibition on the Cistercian abbeys of France and scale models of Élan abbey; the Church of Our Lady of Élan, an old abbey church remodelled in the 18th and 19th centuries; and the 18th-century Chapel of St Roger, whose outline is reflected in the water of a pond. Located at the heart of Élan Forest, on the site of a miraculous source associated with St Roger, the abbey's founder, the site of the Chapel of St Roger is a charming place for a walk, and an ideal place to recharge your batteries, meditate or enjoy a peaceful picnic... All around, an arboretum set up by the ONF is a lovely addition to the grounds.
