On the 25 June 2026, I travelled to Luxeuil-les-Bain to attend the launch of the Endowment Fund of the Abbey of Luxeuil. I was picked up at Basle airport by Jean-Gabriel Merlevede and Annie Remy who I had met in July last year at Columbanus Day in Carlow. On a baking hot afternoon (39C), we visited a small museum in the Abbey which contained artefacts from the former monastery. I was very impressed with a graphic on the wall which illustrated the journey of Columbanus with pictures of monasteries and churches that had been founded by Columbanus and his followers.
On the 26th June 2026, I attended the launch of the Endowment Fund at Luxeuil Abbey. The Abbey had been bought a couple of years ago by philanthropists, Pascale and Jean-Yves Parisot, for 20,000,000 Euros. It is going to cost the same again to renovate and restore the Abbey! It is a gigantic project! Guests were taken on a tour of the Abbey to see the renovations that had already commenced. As an historic monument, great care is being taken to ensure that the buildings are being authentically restored to the original state of the Abbey. A few examples: moulds had to be made to replace some of the tiles on the roof; 240 windows have to be repaired or replaced; 50 ensuite bedrooms are being constructed; and the fountain in the garden has to be restored.
Once completed, the Abbey will provide facilities for conferences, seminars, corporate and private events and welcome pilgrims walking the Columban Way. The beautiful chapel will be renovated and will not only be a place of worship for pilgrims but will also be marketed as a wedding venue. With a new restaurant being constructed to overlook the garden and grounds, the Abbey will become a hive of activity and create employment for local people and regenerate the town of Luxeuil-les-Bains and the surrounding rural area.
The Endowment Launch was an opportunity to appeal for donations to help pay for the restoration of the Abbey. For example, it is estimated that the restoration of one window is 5,350 Euros and a complete replacement of one window is 7,200 Euros. For further information on the Abbey and how to make a donation, please visit:
It was announced at the launch that the grand opening of the Abbey would take place on 27 March 2027. If there is enough interest, I would like to organise a trip to Luxeuil-les-Bains to attend this event and extend the trip to 10 days to visit St Gallen, Switzerland and Bregenz, Austria. If anyone is interested in booking a place, please let me know…………and start saving!
Deborah Girvan BEM
Chair Friends of Columbanus Bangor
President Via Columbani Partnership