The Abbaye de Cercanceaux hosts weddings, seminars, concerts, car rallies, art exhibitions and student events, from a meeting of a few people to a reception of 600 guests. Four halls are rented, from 75 to 485 square meters, and each event has the site to itself. The former Cistercian abbey stands on rue Antoine Héroët in Souppes-sur-Loing, in Seine-et-Marne, in a 17-hectare park about one hour from Paris.
Seminars and company events
The abbey sells study days, business meals and company receptions. A group can hold its plenary in one of the large halls and split into workshops in the smaller rooms. The Salle des Fonderies, at 75 square meters, works as a meeting room for a small committee. The Salle des Forges du Roy, at 140 square meters, is offered for seminars, meetings and association events. For a conference or a company party, the Salle des Grands Moulins takes up to 600 people and can be reduced with a movable screen. The park gives space for breaks and outdoor activities.
The site's FAQ states that any type of event can be organised, not only weddings and seminars. The same contact, Mme Jamet, follows clients from the first visit to the end of the event, and has done so for more than 20 years.
Weddings and receptions
Weddings are a large part of the abbey's activity. The ceremony can take place outdoors or in one of the halls, depending on the weather and the couple's wishes. The Salle de la Grange Dimière opens directly onto the Salle des Grands Moulins, so the cocktail, the ceremony and the dinner can each have their own room. The smaller halls serve as a quiet room for children, a cloakroom or a rest area during a reception. Couples have exclusive use of the site on the day.
Rooms and capacities
The Salle des Grands Moulins is the largest hall, at 485 square meters, listed for up to 600 people. It was fully renovated in 1999 and has a timber roof frame and a floor in local Souppes stone. It has hosted 450 guests for lunch and 820 for a concert. The Salle de la Grange Dimière covers 207 square meters, takes up to 280 people and seats 100 for a meal. The Salle des Forges du Roy covers 140 square meters and was renovated in 2001. The Salle des Fonderies covers 75 square meters.
The gardens are kept up all year and are home to goats, ponies, horses and hens.
Catering
The abbey does not impose any supplier. The caterer, the photographer and other providers are chosen freely, and the team can suggest names on request.
History and setting
The abbey was founded in 1181 by Hugues, abbot of La Cour-Dieu, and Henri I Clément, marshal of France, on land in the Loing valley. The monks cleared and farmed the valley through the Middle Ages. The abbey declined under the commendam system from the Renaissance and lost its monks at the Revolution. The buildings then passed through several owners and became a paper mill. The abbot's chapel is the only religious building left standing. Restoration has turned the site into a place for receptions and events.
Getting there
By road, take the A77 motorway to exit 17, then the D607. A fenced car park is free for guests. The site is accessible to wheelchair users and has simplified signage.
