The Abbey which is a Priory

Commonly known asAbbey churchThe Abbatiale Saint-Nicolas in Saint-Leu-d'Esserent is in fact... a... Priory !

A common mistake

Perched on its promontory overlooking the town of Saint-Leu-d'Esserent, thereligious building does not go unnoticed ! Known as the Abbey Church, this building should be called the Saint-Nicolas Priory !

The difference between an Abbey and a Priory

So what is the difference ?

We're talking abbey church when thechurch is linked to an abbeyThis was not the case for the church of Saint-Nicolas, which until the French Revolution was actually linked to the Cluniac priory adjacent to it.

Discover the Priory

A place rarely open to the public

Even today, you can still see or visit the underground passageways of the Priory to which the Abbey Church was attached.

Now available at private propertyHowever, the site is rarely open to the public: it can be discovered on the occasion of the Heritage Days or duringevents organised by the owners places.