Abbaye de Sylvanès, Sylvanès

The abbey of Sylvanès, founded in 1136 by Pons de Léras, is an ancient Cistercian abbey located in the commune of Sylvanès, in the South Aveyron, not far from Camarès and Belmont-sur-Rance, in the ancient diocese of Vabres.

After a century and a half of influence, the abbey fell into a long period of decadence. Abandoned during the Revolution, only the church and the east wing of the cloister were preserved.

Classified as a historical monument in 1862, the abbey was restored in 1975 by the Dominican friar and composer André Gouzes and by Michel Wolkowitsky, its current director. In the 21st century, it is the seat of a center of culture, art and spirituality, offering courses in artistic practice, symposiums and conferences on various themes.

The monument is open to visitors and has a hotel.

Every summer, the abbey hosts the International Sacred Music - World Music Festival, during which musicians and vocal ensembles perform in the abbey church or outside in the former cloister area.