Visit the Abbey church Déas site
Heart of the Déas site, the Carolingian abbey church was built at the beginning of the 9th century.
The Carolingian abbey church
Remarkable for the combination of stone and brick, and the outstanding majesty of its massive pilasters, its checkered arches, this monument has been exceptionally well preserved. Classified as a historic monument, the edifice is a model of transition between Antique art and Medieval art and is a rare remnant of the Carolingian era. The abbey church shelters Saint Philibert’s reliquary.
The Simples Garden
Next to the abbey church, the garden is based on the Plan of Saint-Gall.
Medicinal, aromatic, tinctorial and ornamental plants cultivated at the time of Charlemagne are grown there in an educational way.
Lake and marshland birds
The wine press room hosts a permanent exhibition of Helmut Warzecha’s stuffed collection. About 40 emblematic birds of the lake and its marshes are shown to help you understand why the fauna of the surrounding wetland is so exceptional.
For an unaccompanied visit, an english guide-book is avalaible at the front desk.
Useful information
Opening times
| From April to September | From October to March | French holidays of autumn, Christmas and Winter |
|---|---|---|
| from Tuesday to Sunday : 10:00-12:30 and 14:00 -18:30 | Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday : 14:00-17:30 | from Tuesday to Sunday : 14:00-17:30 |
Last ticket sale 15 minutes before closing.
Closed on bank holidays : May 1st. December 24th, 25th & 31th , January 1st.
Admission prices :
| Self guided visit | Guided visit : Only in French |
|---|---|
| • Full price : 5 € • Reduced price* : 3 € | • Full price : 7 € • Reduced price* : 5 € |
* visitors from 6 to18 years old , students, job seekers, people with disabilities and one accompanying person, groups (minimum 10 pers.)
Free : under 6 years old and tourism professionals
Accessibility :
Car park for disabled on site : parking « abbatiale » rue de la Souchais
- Visit partly accessible to people with disabilities. About 40% of the site is accessible to wheelchairs with help.
- Length accessible to wheelchairs : about 320 meters
- Accessible spaces : reception, WC, Simples Garden (8% slope), cloister garden, gallery
-
Non-accessible spaces : The abbey church because of steps at the entrances. There are also steps inside to enter the ambulatory and the crypt. For your convenience and security, we recommend you to come with a companion.
-
Equipement : chairs or benches are available in exhibition rooms and in the abbey church. Folding seats are available at the reception for people with walking difficulties. A Braille guide book is available at the reception : abbey church and Simples Garden.
Access :
How to get to the Site de l’abbatiale Déas
30 minutes drive from Nantes and 40 minutes from Pornic
By car : from Nantes périphérique sud, exit porte des Sorinières direction Saint Philbert de Grand Lieu, and follow D178, as far as exit Saint Philbert de Grand Lieu.
By bus : LILA ligne 12 Nantes>Saint Philbert de Grand Lieu. Stop « Rue du port », 50 meters from the site.
Recommended car park : Parc de la Boulogne (D65, Avenue de Nantes), 200 meters from the site, secured footpath.