History of L'Abbaye de Villeneuve
In 1201, Philip Augustus was King of France, but Brittany remained under English rule. The powerful duchy was led by Constance, who was later succeeded by her son, Arthur.
The region's religious network of churches and abbeys ensured the cultivation of land, the herding of livestock, and the elevation of souls. This Abbey was entrusted with that very mission just outside Nantes, encompassing Villeneuve and Les Sorinières.
Occupied by the Cistercians, it gained an aura that captivated the prominent names of the Breton elite, many of whom chose it as their final resting place: Duchess Constance, her third husband Guy de Thouars, their daughter Alix, as well as Yolande d’Aubigné (whose tombstone can be found in the hotel's small museum), and many others.
L’Abbaye de Villeneuve flourished and radiated influence until the 15th century.
The Abbey through the centuries
Its glory eventually faded, monks were no longer replaced, and ruin loomed. In 1708 (a date carved into the house's pediment), Archbishop Jean III d’Estrée undertook its restoration.
The French Revolution put an end to this before the War in the Vendée destroyed L’Abbaye de Villeneuve. Undoubtedly guided by the enduring Cistercian spirit, several successive owners painstakingly rebuilt the monastic complex.
A journey between past and present
The experience of L’Abbaye de Villeneuve Nantes – Les Sorinières today
In 2020, the estate captured the attention of the AKENA hotel group, which restored it to its former majesty following a substantial investment. The Abbaye de Villeneuve hotel was reborn: the renovation carefully preserved the building's soul, historic spaces, and stonework.
Once a sanctuary of knowledge and silence, it now comes alive with a new energy—that of a chic and charming 4-star hotel in Nantes that seamlessly combines heritage and modernity. These history-steeped walls host a multitude of experiences, including stays, fine dining, relaxation, events, and the arts, all moving to the rhythm of the present day.
Nourished by its past and firmly rooted in the present, it inspires, surprises, and brings people together around serenity, the art of living, and the simple pleasure of welcoming guests.
