Saint Michael’s Abbey in Farnborough, England

Who would think that the last emperor of France, Napoleon III, had found his way to a quiet town in England? Well, following his passing and then his son's death in the Zulu War, his wife Eugene bought a house and came to live in Farnborough. She had an abbey built, complete with the church and Imperial Mausoleum, where the family are at rest. With the gothic styling of the buildings, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were in France! The church and crypt have been extensively refurbished, Sunday Mass being shared on the abbey's Youtube channel, albeit without the aroma of the incense. Today, the abbey is home to a small Benedictine community whose spiritual life is supported by their guest house, farm and printing press. You can visit on Saturdays at 3pm, details on the abbey website.