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Origin and history

The Abbey of Notre-Dame de Cîteaux, founded in 1098 by Robert de Molesme in the Duchy of Burgundy, is the mother abbey of the Cistercian order. It is placed under the protection of the Dukes of Burgundy and dedicated to Mary, mother of Christ. Its initial objective is to apply the Gregorian Reformation and to return to a strict interpretation of the rule of Saint Benedict, in opposition to the dominant Clunisian order. The site, initially hostile and marshy, is chosen for its isolation conducive to monastic life.

In 1119, the Carta Caritatis (Charter of Charity), approved by Pope Calixte II, formalized the Cistercian order and made it a major actor in the spiritual, economic and social life of the Christian West. Under the impulse of Bernard de Clairvaux, who joined Cîteaux in 1112, the order swarmed more than 2,000 monasteries in Europe, from France to Transylvania. The abbey becomes an intellectual and economic center, thanks to its network of barns and its expertise in viticulture, notably with the famous Clos de Vougeot.

The abbey experienced periods of prosperity but also crises, marked by fires (such as that of 1297), looting during the wars of Religion, and internal conflicts such as the war of observances in the 17th and 18th centuries. Despite these trials, Cîteaux remained a place of power, welcoming royal figures like Louis XIV and serving as a necropolis for the Dukes of Burgundy. The French Revolution marked a dramatic turning point: in 1791 the abbey was confiscated, sold as national property, and largely destroyed.

In the 19th century, the site experienced several reassignments: it became a fourierist phanaster under Arthur Young (1841-1846), then a prison colony led by Father Rey (1846-1888). In 1898 the Cistercian-Trappist monks returned to settle there, giving Cîteaux his monastic vocation. Today, the abbey holds three historic buildings classified as Historical Monuments since 1978: the library (1509), the definitional building (17th century) and the Lenoir building (1771). It continues its spiritual and economic tradition, especially with the production of cheeses and religious objects.

The architecture of Cîteaux reflects its evolution: from medieval wooden buildings to Gothic and classical buildings of the 17th and 18th centuries. The hydraulic engineering of the monks, with the bypass of the Sansfond and the construction of a 10 km canal, testifies to their technical mastery. The abbey also played a key role in the development of monastic sign language, used to preserve sacred silence. Despite revolutionary destruction, it remains a symbol of Cistercian power and influence in Europe.

Today, Cîteaux is a place of prayer, retreat and visit, open to the public. The monastic community, with some 30 monks in 2010, organizes retreats and produces cheeses, books and religious objects. The site, partially restored, attracts visitors for its millennial history and preserved architectural heritage, while remaining an active spiritual centre of the Cistercian-Trappist order.

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