St. Paul's Abbey - Oosterhout

The history of this monastery, known as that of the French fathers, dates back to 1901. In that year, a law was introduced in France that severely restricted the functioning of certain monastic orders. As a result, several religious communities left France, including the Benedictines.

The Benedictines settled in Oosterhout, where they purchased a beautiful piece of land. From the 1930s onwards, Paulus Abbey grew into a virtually self-sufficient community. All kinds of small craft businesses were set up, focusing on agricultural products, clothing, art and books, among other things. The abbey became particularly well known for its pottery and orchid nursery.

The Paulus Abbey is now a listed building. Not only the main building is included, but also the historic workshops with studios, a shed for carts and agricultural tools, a garage with fruit storage and a pumping station from 1936 to 1937 are part of the monumental heritage.

Nowadays, there are no Benedictines living in the abbey. In the autumn of 2005, a French religious community settled in Oosterhout once again. The Chemin Neuf community took over the abbey in 2006.

Today, Paulus Abbey is a lively place where prayer and community life are central. It has its own beer brewery where visitors can enjoy guided tours and workshops, and there is a mini campsite on the grounds, the Paulusoase, for those who wish to stay longer.

Photo: ©Brabant Partners