The Saint-Jean de Sorde abbey is located in the town of Sorde-l'Abbaye, in the Landes, 27 km south of Dax.
It was founded in the 10th century by Benedictine monks on the site of an old Roman villa, the site being renowned for its proximity to the confluence of the Gave de Pau and Oloron rivers. Very early on, it was also a stopover on the way to Saint-Jacques, taken by pilgrims from the north of France and Paris.
In 1290, following an agreement between the Abbot and the Seneschal of Toulouse, the abbey and the village, which became a bastide, were placed under the protection of the King of France. The monastery was then surrounded by ramparts.
Prosperous due in particular to the exploitation of salmon from the mountain streams and the frequentation of pilgrims, the abbey nevertheless had to suffer from the Wars of Religion. Only the church, which has retained a bell tower from the 10th century and its apse from the 12th century, as well as the abbot's dwelling, were spared. All the convent buildings were raised in the 17th century by the Benedictines of the congregation of Saint-Maur and restored again in the 19th century.
Protected as historical monuments and listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Routes to Santiago de Compostela, the whole of the former abbey belongs to and is managed by the local authorities..
The abbey church, with its tympanum, historiated capitals, mosaics from the Romanesque period, and an imposing 18th century marble high altar, is freely accessible. There is also a model representing the original abbey.
As far as the convent buildings are concerned, they are open to visitors from March to November and host exhibitions, shows and artist residencies. The nearby cloister is also worth admiring.
The former residence of the abbots (15th and 16th centuries) houses Roman remains (thermal baths, mosaics).
Self-guided or guided tour. Visit of the Roman remains from Monday to Friday by reservation (price: from 4 euros). Information on +33 5 58 73 09 62.
