Housed in the large building running alongside the River Sarthe, built in 1896 during the abbacy of Dom Paul Delatte, our refectory may well seem impressive for a dining hall, with its five monumental columns. Dom Jules Mellet, its architect (1846–1917), drew inspiration from the guest hall at Mont-Saint-Michel to give it this spacious feel.
Facing the tall windows adorned with non-figurative stained-glass panels, the pilasters are typical of the Beaux-Arts style, which the monk-architect had studied.
A brother seated at a lectern reads aloud throughout the meal. In accordance with the requirements of Saint Benedict’s Rule, we take turns serving at table (ch. 35). Absolute silence must reign in the refectory: ‘The brothers shall prepare for one another the food and drink they need, so that no one has to ask for anything. If, however, anything is lacking, let it be requested by a sign rather than by words’ (ch. 38).
