Did you know? In the Val d’Oise, a former royal abbey has survived through the ages, from medieval times to the present day. Now a center for contemporary art, we tell you more about the astonishing Abbaye de Maubuisson!
Located in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône, in the Val-d’Oise region of France ( ),Abbaye de Maubuisson is now a contemporary art center run by the Val-d’Oise departmental council. Throughout the year, temporary exhibitions, workshops and guided tours await you. The site also boasts a 10-hectare park planted with trees, ideal for relaxation and discovery.
The history of this historic abbey in the Île-de-France region
The abbey, originally named Notre-Dame-la-Royale, was founded in 1236 by Blanche de Castille to welcome Cistercian nuns from Saint-Antoine-des-Champs in Paris. It enjoyed a period of prosperity, with up to 120 nuns in the 16th century. However, events such as the Wars of Religion and the Hundred Years’ War affected its development. In 1786, the abbey was closed by order of Louis XVI. It subsequently served as a military hospital, stone quarry, spinning mill and farm. Listed as a historic monument in 1947, it became the property of the Val-d’Oise département in 1979.
Maubuisson Abbey today
Today,Abbaye de Maubuisson offers contemporary art exhibitions in keeping with its architecture and history. Artists such as Marie-Ange Guilleminot present their work, creating a dialogue between past and present. The site also organizes a variety of workshops, including calligraphy, yoga and crochet, as well as guided tours and musical walks. The 10-hectare park, with its remarkable trees and shady paths, is an ideal setting for family outings, romantic rendezvous or time with friends.
Rendez-vous aux Jardins 2025: a family program at Abbaye de Maubuisson (95)
Rendez-vous aux Jardins 2025 invites you to discover the Domaine de Maubuisson, this weekend from June 6 to 8, 2025, with activities for the whole family, from nature outings to historical visits. [Read more]
Marie-Ange Guilleminot at Abbaye de Maubuisson: our photos from the exhibition
A not-to-be-missed event for art and design lovers… From April 6 to August 31, 2025, Abbaye de Maubuisson will be hosting Marie-Ange Guilleminot’s monographic exhibition, “Construis toi-même l’espace où tu vis”. A project exploring the modularity of space and the relationship between architecture and the body, in dialogue with Lygia Clark’s research. [Read more]
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