ABBEY OF SAINT-BENOÎT-DU-LAC / SAINT-GILBERT-ENTRE-LES-LOUPS
This was the near mythical monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups. The home of two dozen cloistered, contemplative monks. Who had built their abbey as far from civilization as they could get.
It has taken hundreds of years for civilization to find them, but the silent monks had had the last word.
Twenty-four men had stepped beyond the door. It had closed. And not another living soul had been admitted.
Until today. (The Beautiful Mystery, Chapter Two)
Among the most memorable—and visually stunning!—real places in Louise Penny’s canon is the Abbey of Saint-Benoît-du-Lac, the locale that inspired the fictional Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups. The religious affiliation and events of the book bear no resemblance to the Benedictine Monks of the real abbey, as explained by Louise: “it became clear in researching [The Beautiful Mystery] that I couldn’t set the book in a monastery, or even an order, that really existed, so I dug into history and found the Gilbertines, an order that actually once existed, but went extinct.”
Situated on the shores of Lake Memphremagog, the real abbey was built in 1912 by Benedictine Monks fleeing the anti-clerical laws in France. The magnificent monastery was commissioned in 1938 with plans provided by the renowned architect and fellow monk, Dom Paul Bellot.
The monks themselves, numbering about 50 in all, devote themselves to obedience and prayer, and are keen practitioners of Gregorian Chant (See the video below).
While very cerebral and spiritual, the Benedictines believe “one must live by the work of one’s hands.” The monks operate their own orchard and cheese factory and the products of their harvest can be purchased at the Boutique de L’Abbaye. Don’t miss “Le Moine,” a cheese very similar to gruyere or the “Bleu Bénédictin,” a soft blue cheese. They also make superb ciders from their own apples—a sweet non-alcoholic blend and their specialty, Le Kir Abbatial, which is a hard cider that pairs exceptionally well with desserts.
If you’re planning on visiting the abbey, make a day of it. Walk the exquisite grounds, attend a mass—whether you’re secular or religious—there’s nothing quite like it; admire the architecture of the Abbey itself; or, if you’re really in search of solitude, stay the night!
For more information, please visit: https://www.abbaye.ca/en/
Music is a central theme in The Beautiful Mystery. In fact, Louise has said, “a piece of music can transport us to another place and time, and not just evoke that memory, but the emotion. It can inspire great courage, and reduce us to tears.”
Did the Gregorian Chant of the Benedictine Monks evoke any memories and emotions for you?
The Beautiful Mystery is the first of Louise’s books set wholly outside of Three Pines. How did you feel about this?
65 replies on “THE REAL PLACES OF THREE PINES: THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY”
[…] Re-Read led by Barbara Peters. You can also learn more about the real-life inspirations behind the settings and cultural references in the book, try a recipe the characters enjoy in The Beautiful Mystery, […]
[…] Re-Read led by Barbara Peters. You can also learn more about the real-life inspirations behind the settings and cultural references in the book, try a recipe the characters enjoy in The Beautiful Mystery, […]
the ending of this book was disheartening. I have worked in medicine for the last 43years. The past 11 in neurology. Jean Guy and Gamache have developed into strong characters. I understand drug addiction well. The end of this book did not fit Jean Guy character. I do understand what you tried to do, but I feel it has hurt my love of the series.
***SPOILERS AHEAD!!***
I just finished reading this book today, and in the first 20% or so I made the mistake of looking at this page (while googling the fictional monastery) and read the comments (there are some spoilers below, beware if you haven’t read the book!).
The few comments stating the disappointment at the end of the book, and especially yours commenting about addiction, stuck in my head through my reading.
I was prescribed tramadol in 2013 for severe back pain and told it wasn’t addictive by my doctor. I started taking it as prescribed and suddenly I was super woman! I was happier, I had more energy than I had ever thought possible, I could keep up with my 1 year old twins without struggle and with a positive attitude (my then-husband was away on deployment for most of my pregnancy and their younger years, so I was essentially a single mother to twin boys).
Slowly, the addiction took hold and I started taking it not as prescribed. I found other sources for it. It made me a slim, energetic super-mom who ran a half marathon; as Beauvoir said in The Beautiful Mystery, “how could something so good be bad?”
It continued until 2016, when I started having seizures and blacking out. The synthetic opiate wasn’t working as it had before, so I was taking more and more of it to feel “normal.” To keep up with the demands of a full time job and running a household alone. After the second seizure and trip to the emergency room, I finally realized what it was and came clean to my family. I’ve been clean ever since from any kind of opiate except for very short terms, as prescribed, for tooth extractions.
I say this not to elicit sympathy but to show that I know, intimately, the mind of an opiate addict. Even after the seizures, even after hard proof the toll they were taking on my mind and body, I didn’t want to quit. I was beyond terrified to quit. It took my ex-husband (rightfully) threatening to leave and take away my children to quit. And for some, not even that is enough to quit.
There is no way to understand the mind of an addict, especially one deep in the throes of addiction, unless you’ve been there yourself. The bone, the *soul* deep ache for “just one more. Just one more and I’ll be done.” The justifications you make to yourself, the stigma, the self-hatred, the turbulent emotions that the drugs are able to silence and transform into bliss. The immense effort it takes to overcome, the second-by-second *need* for it, the unceasing yearning to feel “normal.” The withdrawals are something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy, and THEN after that there is the post-acute withdrawal syndrome which can persist for years and washes out any happiness, energy, or positivity from the world.
Beauvoir demonstrated before how his foundational self-confidence is shaky. He is unconsciously on a constant search for reassurance, a supportive parental figure, and the certainty that those he loves and looks up to won’t leave him or don’t secretly despise him. As a child of traumatic parents myself, the serenity and the silence of those inner voices provided by the opiates, combined with the systematic and cunning forcible insertion of those doubts into the forefront of Beauvoir’s brain by Francoeur…to me it was masterfully done and entirely plausible that, with his own foundation so shaken and cracked, he would turn back to the certain solace of the drug and the extended hand of seeming regard and affirmation of worth that Francoeur offered.
This comment ended up far longer than I intended, but I felt it important to offer a view from the other side regarding Beauvoir’s push into darkness. I’m about to start the next book, but I am impressed (and, more importantly, discomfited by the reality of the representation) of how he was shoved off the wagon and chose to walk into the arms of the certain devil rather than the truthful, caring, yet challenging Gamache.
Hello Bree,
What a moving story of your addiction and the strength it took to leave it behind. I so agree with you that it could happen to anyone, and that Jean Guy definitely would be more susceptible than most people, given his background and attitudes and lack of self esteem.
His story at the centre of the next few books is heartbreaking, but also heartlifting when he manages to recognize his own problems.
best wishes
Roelie
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Kuddos to you, loved your comment and explanation from someone who’s been there.
I’m at the very first page, and you spoiler the end. I can forgive you for this. But, hey! Three Pines doesn’t exist. The men are Louise Penny’s creations and we must accept what she wrote, because she is the Writer. She has the story, the plot, the lines. And it is very difficult write as beautiful as she does! Jean-Guy is her creature, not ours. I’m pretty sure the Lady will accept your point of view, she’s great. If you will abandoned the books the only who lose will be you… Stay with us please! 🙂
Knihy Luise Penny jsou úžasné.Jsem z české republiky a dceru mám 30 let v Torontu.
This is my favorite book. I have read it and listened to it many times.
I find the chants very peaceful. The writing is so good that I can picture the things she writes about in this book. A place I would love to visit.
[…] The Beautiful Mystery, Chief Inspector Gamache travels to the monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups, to investigate the death of a renowned choir director. Tucked into the wilderness, the monastery […]
I have been working on a report featuring THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY for my book club program. Our theme for the year is “Historical Novels” and I chose this book for the wonderful representation of Gregorian Chant, which will softly underscore my presentation. Thanks to everyone for their comments. They confirmed what I have written. My daughter introduced me to Louise Penny and has the whole “Gamache”set. Together we have read and reread them. Mrs. Penny is an extraordinary writer, and we can’t wait to read her latest installment, just out!
Ich lese jetzt den 8 Teil der Reihe und kann nicht mehr davon ablassen. Danke Louise Penny. Ich lebe in Deutschland und würde zu gern diese herrliche Landschaft sehen. Freue mich über jeden Teil der Buchreihe die ich erwische.
I love Louise Penny and her writings – can’t wait for the latest book which is out – I borrow them from our library – I also love Gregorian Chants and the Eastern Townships – I live out west now but would go back to the Townships in a heartbeat if my kids weren’t here in the west – grew up on the island of MTL – spent many a day traveling through the townships on the way to grandparents and family in New Hampshire and Vermont – my brother went to Stanstead College – truly miss the place – lucky are you who live there still
And the Cheese!!!!
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The Beautiful Mysteries caught my breath with its descriptions of the monastery and the life of prayer. The music…I can only imagine. I missed the villagers of Three Pines but we all need a retreat now and then 😉 I’m currently rereading and savoring the series in anticipation of the new book in November. Namaste.
This is my first book I’ve read in the series and I loved it so much! I will be reading the rest of the books now. It’s wonderful to have a series where the regularly appearing characters have their own changes and growth. Brava, Ms. Penney!!! Thank you for a most interesting book.
I found this book because I sing in a Latin Mass schola and love Gregorian chant and was interested to see whether Gregorian chant is ever featured in fiction. I found another book, a children’s book: Trouble at the Scriptorium by Anne Johnson. It is also a mystery.
The Abbey one of our favourite places , the Monks hospitable and congenial as well as marvellously musical. Their cd of Gregorian chant is the cd I love to play at night .
How can I get this recording of Gregorian chants?
Didn’t any one else catch the nod to Monty Python? “Jeez,” said Beauvoir. “The Inquisition. I didn’t expect that.” “No one does,” said Gamache.”
Of course.
Absolutely caught that!! It gave me a chuckle while I was working with clay.
Yes, though by this time the narrative has taken the voice of Foghorn Leghorn. Ah say, doo-dah doo-dah, with a slight French accident.
This is my seventh Penny book — all out of order but that does not bother me (I am one of those people who could read the ending of a book first and find it motivating to read the rest afterwards). Louise Penny’s richly-drawn and engaging reads have seen me through this chillingly cold winter. I have told all my reading friends to get started– to meet and appreciate Gamache, et. al– and that they won’t be disappointed with their time spent together.
What is the best way to travel to this Monastery from the Midwest?
Oh! I like this book! But I’l Reading it in french because my english is not good enough and I regrette !
I’ve never been to Saint-Benoît-du-Lac but I once typeset and helped publish a short book about the architect, Dom Bellot – as soon as I started reading The Beautiful Mystery I had the real abbey firmly in mind. You evoked it superbly.
I also began with The Beautiful Mystery. I was so captivated with the story that I had to start at the beginning. Louise Penny is my new favorite author. Thank you, Louise, for so may hours of pleasure.
While I loved the setting and the references to the music, I have to say that I was disappointed – no, more than that, I was outraged! – that so many ends were left hanging, requiring that I read the next book in the series to tie up those ends! At the very least, readers should have been warned that it was “part 1 of 2” before starting to read!!!
I loved the Beautiful Mystety and felt the pull of it even as Beauvoir did.
I have read all of Louise’s book, and although I have loved them all, I have to say that A Beautiful Mystery is by far my favorite. Although, like of some of the other readers, the ending was very upsetting and I thought about it for days, the beauty of the abbey, and the chants, which I have listened to, made up for the sadness . I would love to visit the abbey…..I live very far away, in South Carolina, but maybe, Some day.