Le Bec-Hellouin, Normandie France
Roman Catholic (Benedictine)
Founded in 1039 the Abbey has been described as "one of the most important centres of intellectual learning in the Christian World." It has had strong ties with England and two of its members, Lanfranc and St Anselm, served as Archbishop of Canterbury.Built in 1467, the St Nicholas Tower survived the abbey's long use as a cavalry barracks following the monks' dispersal in 1792. Benedictine monks re-established the Abbey in 1948.