Abbey of Saint-André en Gouffern

The site of the Cistercian abbey is isolated in clear land, however near to the road from Falaise to Argentan, about 5 kilometers south of Falaise.

The Abbey of St André en Gouffern is member of the European Chart of the Cistercian Abbeys and Sites.

A little history

Guillaume Talvas, count of Perche of the Montgomery family, founded the abbey in 1131.
The charter of the dedication dates on the 11th of September 1143. The second charter dates on 1175 during the patronage of St. André de Gouffern.In the beginning it is up to the order of Savigny; later on it rejoins the order of Citeaux in 1147.

It fulfils two criterions : on one hand the retirement from the world which is wanted by the renewed monastic of the era, on the other hand an easy access in order to rely it to all economic activities.
In response to the English wars the abbey was partly under fire in 1356. In 1450 ‘St. André’ served as shelter for Charles VII after the invasion of Caen in 1590. It was occupied by the troupes of Henry IV during the occupation of Falaise.

The site in the surrounds of the village of la Hoguette has a remarkable isolation, on the edge of the Gouffern Forest, and nearby the quarries of Vignats where was extracted the stone used for the construction.

Today the hostelry has been renovated and is open to visit. From the abbey are just left some blind arcades and fine columns with vegetation decorum.

Useful informations

- Contact
Abbaye St André en Gouffern, 14700 LA HOGUETTE
Tel (opening periods) : +33 (0)2 31 90 41 08 – (other periods) +33 (0)1 46 61 99 09


- Opening dates and times
The abbey is open for visits from 1st July to 20th September, except on mondays and tuesdays.
Opening hours 1.00pm to 7.00pm
For groups, visits are possible all year round on appointments.

- Rates :
Adults : 4 euros - Children: 2,50 euros.