Practical information

The Venue: Drongen Abbey

Drongen Abbey

Address

Drongen Abbey
Drongenplein 27
9031 Drongen (Ghent)
​Belgium
www.oudeabdij.be

Drongen Abbey is a historic monument dating back to 1138, when the Norbertin monks founded the abbey. The Jesuits bought the building in 1836 to house the noviciate of the Belgian Province. Now the Abbey is used both as an Ignatian spiritual centre, and as a conference centre.

The Abbey is located in Drongen, a village about 6 km from Ghent, a city in the heart of Flanders, that combines an old historic centre with innovative business parks.

The Abbey is situated along the river Lys in a picturesque park of 25 acres, containing gardens, ponds, orchards and meadows. Both the buildings and the gardens are listed. In short: an ideal place to combine work with moments of silence and tranquility. A place where the vaste in- and outdoor space reflects the inner space and growth.

Travel information

Drongen Abbey is situated in the city center of Drongen, and is only 6 km away from the city center of Ghent.
Train to ghent

By public transport

From Brussels (stations Brussels-Airport Zaventem, Brussels-North, Brussels-Central, Brussels-Midi) there is a regular connection to Ghent-Sint-Pieters Station. Check the train scheduling app for the exact departure time. From Ghent-Sint-Pieters to Drongen, you take the L-train to Bruges (Zeebrugge). During off-peak hours there is one train per hour. There are several during peak hours. The train only takes 5 minutes to complete the route.

  • Train tickets can be purchased in the stations (at the counter or via the vending machines), or online via the scheduling app.
  • Drongen Abbey is very close to Drongen station (10-minute walk). When you arrive at Drongen station, take the tunnel under the railway and go towards Drongen-Centrum. Past the parish center you walk along the abbey wall. At the end of that wall, opposite the Belfius Bank, is the entrance to the domain.
    🠖 Directions on Google Maps
  • If you miss your connection in Ghent-Sint-Pieters and have to wait a long time, you can also consider taking a bus or a taxi. Bus line 50 from Ghent-Sint-Pieters station to Drongen Rotonde (17 minutes) is the fastest route. From the roundabout it is approximately a 650 meter walk to Drongen Abbey.
    🠖 Directions on Google Maps
  • You can also take the connecting bus line 12b at the roundabout (2 minutes waiting time), which will take you to Drongenplein in 2 minutes.

By car

You can reach Drongen Abbey via Vierhekkensstraat. To leave the abbey, take the Oude Abdijstraat (drive to the left: one-way traffic!).

  • On the E40 Brussels-Oostende, take exit 13; drive towards Drongen, past the traffic lights at Antoon Catriestraat (there is an Aldi supermarket on the other side of the intersection), until the next roundabout.
  • At the roundabout, take the first exit to the center of Drongen. This is a zone with a maximum speed of 30 km/h.
  • At the end of Vierhekkensstraat you arrive at the village square with the Abbey in front of you on the right. Turn right into Oude Abdijstraat. The entrance to the domain is immediately left, past the bus stop and diagonally behind the war memorial.
  • If you are not coming from the E40 but from the R4 (outer ring around Ghent) or from the center of Ghent, you will arrive at the roundabout via the Deinsesteenweg. There you take the 5th exit to the center of Drongen. This is the Vierhekkensstraat. Then follow the description above (third point).

Drongen Abbey has about 35 parking spaces. Moreover, you can always use the free parking at Drongen station. From there, you can reach Drongen Abbey in less than 10 minutes. There are 2 parking lots; one on each side of the track. The parking lot on the Drongen Abbey side is only accessible via the traffic lights on Antoon Catriestraat.

!!! The parking lot of Drongen Abbey will be closed at the early check-in on Sunday 15 June due to the annual fair in the city center.

Train to ghent

Accommodation

Check-in

Early arrival – check-in Sunday 15 June, 4:00 pm UTC+2

  • Additional cost of
    • € 130 / person for a single room
    • € 115 / person for a double room
  • This includes a take away dinner upon arrival (15 June), breakfast and lunch the next day (16 June)

Regular check-in on Monday 16 June 2025, 4:00 pm UTC+2

Official start of the programme: Monday 16 June 2025, 4:30 pm UTC+2

Rooms

Early bird, single room: € 750 / person (register before 31 January 2025)
Early bird, double room: € 700 / person (register before 31 January 2025)

Late bird, single room: €850 / person
Late bird, double room: €800 / person

There is a limited number of partial grants available for participants who are unable to fund their own registration fee. For further information, contact the CEUC Board directly via secretary@ceuc.org

All rooms are equipped with

  • A private bathroom and toilet;
  • A made bed for 1 or 2 persons;
  • Towels;
  • Wifi.

Meals

All meals are organized collectively at dining room 4. Every menu will be vegetarian. In case you have special dietary needs, please state this on your registration form.

All food and drinks consumed at Drongen Abbey, must be purchased there as well. It is not allowed to bring your own food and drinks.

Good to know

  • The reception is open daily from 8:30 am until 7:00 pm UTC+2.
  • The entrance gate is open from 6:30 am until 10:30 pm UTC+2. You cannot enter the premises outside these hours, but you can leave at any time. A key to the night gate (pedestrian only) is available at the reception desk.
  • Drongen Abbey wants to ensure the relaxing and inspiring abbey atmosphere for its visitors. We therefore ask you to respect the uniqueness of this historic setting by maintaining peace in the corridors and communal areas and to respect the night silence everywhere from 10:00 pm UTC+2 onwards.
  • The Ruusbroec Chapel and the extensive gardens are accessible day and night to guests of Drongen Abbey.
  • For your health and everyone’s safety, there is a smoking ban in the building and the courtyards. There is a smoking zone at the parking lot.