Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Abbey was founded in 1850 by Trappist monks of the Abbey of Aiguebelle, on the estate of La Felgère, a family heritage offered by the Chalbos brothers. The first seven religious, led by Father Geniez, settled on a modest farm, which they gradually transformed into a monastery. Thanks to local donations and hard work, a chapel, a dormitory and a hostellerie are built, despite difficult climatic conditions (Burle, violent winds). The priory was officially recognized in 1852, with a community of 10 fathers, 18 brothers and 18 novices.

In 1854, in the face of the influx of vocations, a new monastery was erected on the estate of Compans, completed in 1861 under the direction of Father Polycarpe (Henri Louis Marthoud), first abbot mitré in 1874. The abbey develops agricultural activities (seigle, potatoes, vines, mulberry trees) and spiritual activities, such as the Alumnat, a preparatory school for religious. However, the political unrest of 1879 led to the expulsion of the monks, including Father Polycarpe, who died in Syria in 1895. A fire destroyed the monastery in 1912, but it was rebuilt in two years. The two world wars mark the abbey, with monks dead in battle or prisoners.

From 1949 to the 2000s, the abbey grew economically thanks to winemaking, led by fathers like Toussaint Louche and Claudius Valour. The monks live in autarcia, with workshops (cave, sawmill, farm, hostellery) and a life rhythmized by prayer and silence. In September 2022, after 170 years of male presence, the last few Trappist monks left the abbey. They were replaced in December 2022 by eight Cistercian nuns of Boulaur Abbey (Gers), who founded an autonomous priory in 2025 under the direction of Sister Anne.

Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Abbey is also linked to historical figures: the writer Robert Louis Stevenson stayed there in 1878 on his trip to the Cevennes, and Charles de Foucauld began his religious life there in 1890 before leaving for Syria. During the Second World War, Robert Schuman took refuge. Today, the women's community continues the Cistercian tradition of prayer, manual work and welcome, with public services and spiritual retreats.

The monastery houses a contemporary work, Terre Loire by Japanese artist Kôichi Kurita, composed of 700 earth cups. The buildings, rebuilt after the fire of 1912, dominate the ardéchois landscapes at the edge of the Cevennes. The abbey remains a place of silence, contemplation and healing, faithful to the Benedictine rule: "Ora et labora".

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