Monday, October 26.
St. Wandrille founded this Abbey in 649. Yes, that’s 649, not 1649. The Vikings sacked and burned it in 852. The present Abbey Church was reconstructed in 1969.
It is still an active Benedictine community, and Benedictines believe in supporting themselves. They earn their money by restoring artworks, brewing beer, and selling everything from soap to honey in their store.
Our guide was Pere Lulu, still lively in his 80s with a great sense of humor. As he showed us the restorations in progress, someone asked where they got the money for their projects. “I don’t think you understand how art restoration works,” he said. “People bring us a painting to restore. We restore it, and when we send it back, it has an invoice attached.” He took our riverboat tour once years ago, and he still remembered his cabin number. Turns out it was the same cabin we’re staying in now! One of the guides made this sign for our door.
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