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Medieval frescoes
Frescoes inspired by 12th-century techniques: the Pantocrator, the ducal estate of Vains, the 1087 donation, Saint Benedict patron of Europe, Saint Léonard, Bohemond I of Antioch.
FEASTS OF SAINT LÉONARD
« Where the sensory experience of the Profane meets the Sacred »
2 — 4 July 2027 · Avranches · Saint Léonard · Mont Saint-Michel · Normandy
PRESENCE is the flagship artistic, heritage and cultural project of the Priory of Saint Léonard, part of the Millenium 2027 programme led by the Normandy Region. It reactivates the memory of William the Conqueror's 1087 donation, celebrates Saint Léonard, and weaves European cooperation around the Norman routes.
The millennium of a donation
1087
— 2027 —
13 September 1087
The founding act
A thousand years after William.
Born in 1027 in Falaise and died on 9 September 1087 in Rouen, William the Conqueror granted, shortly before his death, the Priory of Saint Léonard of Vains to the Abbaye aux Hommes in Caen. Nine centuries later, the PRESENCE programme — at the origin of the FEASTS OF SAINT LÉONARD within MILLENIUM — makes this memory tangible, living, shared through art, spirituality, transmission (heritage, medieval traditions…) and encounter.
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Four pillars
Four pillars
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Contemporary ostensions
Public events revisiting the septennial tradition of Saint Léonard's ostensions — a UNESCO heritage — open to former prisoners and pilgrims.
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Mediation & workshops
Academic conferences, encounters with artists and researchers, workshops in fresco, icon, chant, and medieval botanical walks.
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European encounters
Encounters and cooperation with the abbey San Leonardo di Siponto (Foggia, Italy); reconnection of the European network of Norman places (Sicily, England, Northern Italy).
Artistic creation
The frescoes, heart of the project
Inspired by the pigments found in the chapel and the Romanesque techniques of the 12th century, the frescoes of PRESENCE inscribe the narrative durably into stone. Designed with French and Italian artists and researchers, they open a dialogue between medieval art and contemporary sensibility.
“To inscribe the story into stone.”
Studies · 2025—2027
The six themes
- ⅠThe Pantocrator
- ⅡThe ducal estate of Vains
- ⅢThe 1087 donation
- ⅣSaint Benedict, patron of Europe
- ⅤSaint Léonard
- ⅥBohemond I of Antioch
The central event
The Saint Léonard Festivities — 2, 3 & 4 July 2027
Three days, three themes: Liberation · Light · Unity
Friday 2 July
LIBERATION
- 10:00Official welcome & opening conference: Saint Léonard, liberator and patron of the NormansAvranches
- 12:30Convivial buffetAvranches
- 14:30Workshops to choose from — icon, sculpture / modelling, chant, botanical walk (medieval medicinal plants)Priory of Vains
- 18:30VespersPriory of Vains
- 20:00Dinner & evening vigil: play on Saint Léonard, testimonies, workshop sharingPriory of Vains
Saturday 3 July
LIGHT
- 10:00Solemn Mass, followed by the ostensions of Saint Léonard's relics in the villagePriory of Vains
- 13:00LunchPriory or sheepfold
- 15:00Procession to the Mount, relics carried, spiritual stations, brotherhoods presentMont Saint-Michel Bay
- 19:00Celebration in the abbey church, dinner & vigil of venerationMont Saint-Michel
Sunday 4 July
UNITY
- 10:30Closing Mass, blessing of the frescoes, installation of a relic from Monte San'AngeloPriory of Vains
- 12:00Twinning ceremony with the abbey of San Leonardo of Foggia (Italy)Priory of Vains
- 13:00Festive lunchPriory of Vains
- 15:00ClosingPriory of Vains
UNESCO Heritage · septennial
Ostensions
The septennial Ostensions — a living tradition since the 11th century — were inscribed in 2013 on the UNESCO list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Every seven years, the relics of Saint Léonard leave the priory to be venerated by pilgrims, former prisoners and faithful from all over Europe. The Feasts of Saint Léonard 2027 mark the next great Ostension.
European cooperation
Vains ↔ Foggia: a millennial twinning
The abbey of San Leonardo de Siponto (Foggia, Apulia, Italy), founded by the Benedictines and first attested in 1113, is dedicated to Saint Leonard of Noblac — a cult brought to Southern Italy by the Normans. A renowned stop for pilgrims travelling to Monte Sant'Angelo and later for crusaders heading to the Holy Land, it was entrusted to the Augustinian canons in 1127 and to the Teutonic Knights in 1261. Our priory will be twinned with it on Sunday 4 July 2027.
No commitment
Pre-registration — no commitment
Express your interest now for the Saint Léonard Festivities. We will come back to you with the final terms and practical details. No payment required at this stage.
On site
Useful links
Everything you need to know to fully experience the Feasts, in the silence of the Priory and the light of the bay.
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Accommodation
Hotels and guest houses in Vains, Avranches and at the foot of the Mont. Recommended list sent after pre-registration.
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Meals
Convivial meals on the meadow (Saturday evening), pilgrim picnics and volunteer refreshments throughout the three days.
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Access & parking
Dedicated parking in Vains village. Shuttles from Avranches station. GPS coordinates and detailed map sent in advance.
For any question about PRESENCE:
Definitive registration will open soon. In the meantime, pre-register to be informed first.