Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The monastery of Bouvines was built in 1868, originally built as a family residence for Felix Dehau (1846-1934), mayor of Bouvines and father of a large offspring marked by religious vocations. Two of his children, Pierre Dehau and Claire Dehau, took orders, while 14 of his 53 grandchildren also embraced religious life. The house regularly welcomes family members, including future Dominican fathers Thomas Philippe and Marie-Dominique Philippe, especially during the First World War.

During the Second World War, the property was requisitioned by German forces, forcing Louise Dehau (1881-1948), daughter of Felix, to leave the site. She then vowed to dedicate the building to a religious community if Bouvines was spared. In 1945, the Félix Dehau Foundation fulfilled this promise by installing Dominican sisters. Between 1957 and 1959, Joseph Philippe, nephew of Louise, oversees the construction of the monastery chapel.

In 2003, after the departure of the Dominicans, the Archbishop of Lille, Gérard Detempes, entrusted the monastery to the Chemin Neuf Community to make it a welcoming home. A fire ravages the site in 2005, destroying part of the buildings but saving a painting by Jacob van Oost the Younger, La Visitation (1687), then sold. The restoration works allowed by the insurances modernize the monastery, which in 2016 welcomes faithful in spiritual retreat as well as members of the community, including consecrated couples and religious.

Today, the monastery of Bouvines, with a capacity of 70 people, remains a place of spiritual life and welcome, marked by its family and religious history. Its 19th century architecture and its role in the local Catholic heritage make it a notable heritage site of the Hauts-de-France.

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