Lord Colliers Active Retirement Life

Travel Log Day 4: Today’s journey was a shorter leg—about 16 miles—taking me from Licques through Tournehem to Wisques. Upon arriving, I explored some of the ancient abbeys that have stood for centuries. I was incredibly fortunate to be invited to stay at the Abbey of Notre-Dame tonight. What an amazing place!

I’m staying in a small house on the abbey grounds, offering a truly unique and peaceful experience. I’m feeling strong—both physically and mentally—and thoroughly enjoying the journey. Each day brings its own challenges and rewards, and tonight’s setting is the perfect place to rest and reflect. Now, a quick overview of Wisques:

Wisques is a small village in northern France, near Saint-Omer, known for its peaceful atmosphere and rich monastic heritage. It is home to two Benedictine communities founded in 1889 by monks and nuns from the Solesmes Congregation.

The Abbey of Notre-Dame (nuns) and the Abbey of Saint-Paul (monks) both faced exile in the early 1900s due to anti-clerical laws but returned after World War I. The nuns’ community thrived and even founded a monastery in Canada. The monks’ abbey was revitalized in the 2010s by members of Fontgombault Abbey, who brought new energy and a return to traditional Latin liturgy.

Together, these abbeys stand as a testament to a resilient and living Benedictine tradition in the heart of rural France.

Finally, I’m hoping for a Man United victory tonight! While I can’t watch it, I’ll definitely be cheering them on from here!