The abbey was established by monks from the island of Saint-Magloire who fled their home due to Viking incursions.
It houses a 17th-century retable that was rescued from the destruction of the French Revolution.
The abbey church was designated a Monument Historique in 1875.
The site includes a notable 14th-century cloister, though only portions of the original gallery structures remain intact.
The adjacent castle ruins are built on a rocky promontory that provides a strategic view of the Rance valley.
The Abbaye de Lehon is a 9th-century Benedictine monastery situated on the banks of the Rance River in the village of Lehon, adjacent to Dinan. The site preserves a mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, including a well-preserved 12th-century church and cloister galleries. It was originally founded by monks fleeing Viking raids in the 9th century. The monastic buildings were extensively restored in the 19th and 20th centuries by the Marist Fathers. The site now serves as a cultural venue, frequently hosting art exhibitions and community events. Visitors can explore the ruins of the nearby 12th-century feudal castle overlooking the abbey. The abbey's church, Saint-Magloire, contains 17th-century wood carvings and historical funerary slabs. The surrounding gardens provide access to the river towpath used for regional cycling and walking.
From the river bank looking back toward the abbey tower and the reflection in the Rance.
Combine your visit with a walk along the Rance River towpath which connects Lehon directly to Dinan harbor.
Check the local municipal calendar before visiting to see if your trip coincides with seasonal art installations in the cloister.
Wear sturdy walking shoes to navigate the steep, cobbled climb up to the adjacent castle ruins.
Attempting to drive directly to the abbey entrance; parking is limited in the narrow medieval streets of Lehon village.
The abbey's exhibition spaces may have seasonal closures between major art installations; check municipal listings for specific exhibition dates.
Maintain a quiet tone within the church and cloister out of respect for the site's historical and religious character.
