Bonnevaux : Center for Peace
Programme of Retreats, Seminars & Workshops (All the online events of this programme are organised by WCCM)
Intensive Silent Meditation Retreat
05 – 13 Feb, Led by Laurence Freeman
Annual Programme 2022: Unified Consciousness: One Mind One Heart
A special online series on the WCCM theme for 2022: spiritual teachers, social leaders, thinkers and writers with contemplative wisdom will explore its meaning for us today.
Know more about other series and events, online and in-person:
See the full schedule of events here
Notice COVID-19
Guests and Visitors during Covid
The Community (who are vaccinated), welcome guests and visitors who have also been fully vaccinated. We ask for a negative Covid test in the previous 48 hours. Those who are not vaccinated should arrange accommodation near Bonnevaux, and may come to the prayer and meditation times while observing the usual precautions of mask and social distancing indoors. Please ask us if you have further questions.
Retreat & Conference Centre
The Retreat Centre (opens Nov 2021) can host up to 39 guests. The Conference Centre is a multipurpose facility for up to 200.
Programme
The programme highlights the contemplative dimension of modern life and society. In addition to meditation retreats, we host conferences and seminars with both a spiritual and professional focus. All of these events take place within the rhythm of daily meditation and the community’s life.
Community
The central house is home to a residential community living in the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict. The core community includes oblates, other residents and long-term guests. The daily round, built on the monastic rhythm of prayer, work and study; hospitality; and care for others; is the quiet heart of life at Bonnevaux.
Help Us to Achieve our Vision
Your donation, large or small, makes a big difference. We operate through the spiritual and financial gifts of generous supporters like you.
Support usTestimonials
Taynã Malaspina
Oblate Coordinator, Brazil
“Being in Bonnevaux, in this physical space, for a few days with people from around the world was so beautiful. We meditated together, studied the Rule of St Benedict, we had a “Desert Day” with a deep communion through silence. The Spirit of St Benedict lives in this place and I am deeply grateful with this experience.”
Richard Rohr OFM
Founder of Center for Action and Contemplation
“I fully congratulate the World Community for embarking on the project of this new center for its whole community and for all who are seeking depth and peace. It is a truly beautiful place and I am sure it will communicate the beauty of the peace of contemplation.”
Silvia Dozzo
Meditator from Italy
I spent a week in Bonnevaux in August 2019. I took part in the Nordic Watercolours and Meditation Retreat. It was a week full of colours, meditation and nature. I would recommend it to anyone. I’d also tell them to treasure and feel that sense of peace and fullness that comes from meditation on their way back from Bonnevaux.
Visit Bonnevaux
Bonnevaux is located outside of Poitiers. We are a renovated, secluded abbey in the French countryside. Only a 90 minute train ride from Paris or a quick 20 minute drive from the nearby airport, Bonnevaux is perfectly situated where convenience and seclusion meet.
