maintains and supports the religious community as a whole. Throughout the history of Solesmes, importance has been given to the practice and use of Gregorian chant. Solesmes was one of many monasteries to utilize this form of chant. A concerted effort was made to reform the corrupted variants of the chant in 1899. These traditions are still preserved to this day. Solesmes today Monastic Offices at Solesmes are available to the general public. The Abbey Church at Solesmes is open to the public for worship from 9:00 am (9:30 am on Sundays and Feast Days) to 6:15 pm. The monastery again opens for Compline. Exhibitions on the abbey, which includes an exhibition on monastic life led by one of the Brothers is available from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm daily, excluding times. Access to the monastery's shop is also available at this time. Solesmes hosts spiritual retreats for men, women, and for large mixed-sex groups. The Rule of Saint Benedict states, "All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ" (Rule of St Benedict, Ch. 53). The monastery has guesthouses within the monastic enclosure available for men. However, women who wish to participate in a retreat may not reside on the monastery grounds. There are small houses operated by the monastery located in Solesmes village, which is very near the abbey available for rent. There are recommended amounts to donate to the monastery for these accommodations, both for men staying inside the monastery, and for women and families staying in the houses in Solesmes village. Modern Abbots of Solesmes Including Guéranger, there have been seven abbots of Solesmes since its refoundation: Prosper Guéranger, 1837 - 1875 Louis-Charles Couturier, 1875 - 1890 , 1890 - 1921 Germain Cozien, 1921 - 1959 Jean Prou, 1959 - 1992 , 1992 - 2022 Geoffrey Kemlin, 2022 - present See also St. Cecilia's Abbey, Solesmes References External links 1010 establishments in Europe 1010s establishments in France 1791 disestablishments in France 1831 establishments in France Benedictine monasteries in France Buildings and structures in Sarthe Burial sites of the House of Bourbon-Parma Christian chants Christian monasteries established in the 11th century Churches in Sarthe French choirs Organizations based in Pays de la Loire Paul Bellot buildings Religious organizations established in 1831