The Journées du Patrimoine return for the weekend of September 19 and 20, 2026, offering a fresh opportunity to uncover sites in Île-de-France that are sometimes off the radar. In Pontoise, in the Val-d'Oise, a visit invites you to descend beneath an old convent to explore a rarely accessible space: the crypt of the English Benedictine convent, a discreet testament to the religious and cultural history of the Paris region.
The story of the convent begins in the 17th century, when English Benedictine nuns, forced to leave their homeland because of the persecution of Catholics, find shelter in Pontoise. The community settles there in 1658 and establishes a monastery dedicated to prayer, the contemplative life and teaching. The convent then becomes part of the development of the great religious communities that permanently mark the city’s landscape.
Hidden beneath this monastic complex, a crypt now stands as one of its most distinctive features. With its stone vaults and sober atmosphere, it recalls the site's spiritual vocation while offering a glimpse into 17th- and 18th-century convent architecture. Long reserved for the religious community, this subterranean area remains little known, making its public opening particularly appealing during the Heritage Days.
Like many religious institutions, the convent undergoes sweeping upheavals during the French Revolution. The community is dissolved and the buildings gradually take on different uses over the decades. While practices have evolved, the site still holds a strong heritage value and testifies to the history of foreign congregations that settled in Île-de-France at a time when the region hosted numerous religious exiles.
Today, the opening of the crypt advances a mission to pass on this often overlooked heritage. Beyond the architectural interest of the site, this visit helps illuminate the daily life of the English Benedictines, their role in the history of Pontoise, and the enduring place these ruins hold in the city’s memory. On the occasion of the Journées du Patrimoine 2026, visitors will be able to discover this exceptional space, before finding below the weekend’s proposed visit programme.
The crypt of the English Benedictine Convent
Persecuted at the end of the 16th century, English Benedictines fled to France. They established themselves in Pontoise in 1658, thanks to their compatriot Lord Montaigu, the abbot of Saint-Martin de Pontoise. The convent closed in 1786 and was dismantled during the Revolution. The Crypt of the English Benedictine Convent, built around 1670, is now open to visitors after its most recent restoration. With its elegant vaults and 55 square meters, it offers a glimpse back to the era of the nuns.
By reservation only, at musee@ville-pontoise.fr or 01 30 73 90 77
Participation guidelines: Up to 15 people per group, maximum duration 30 minutes - Free | Booking required - musee@ville-pontoise.fr, 01 30 73 90 77
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 14:00 to 18:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00 to 12:00
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Dates and Opening Time
From September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Location
Convent of the English Benedictines
1 Chemin du Clos des Anglaises
95300 Livilliers
Route planner
Prices
Free
