Where is Cîteaux Abbey?

Cîteaux Abbey is located in Burgundy, in the Côte-d’Or department, around twenty kilometres from Dijon. It is not far from Nuits-Saint-Georges, a key village on the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne , where you can also stay and visit the monastery.

Can I visit Cîteaux Abbey?

The answer is yes! Cîteaux Abbey is happy to welcome visitors for guided tours. It is best to book your time slot in advance, as places are limited.

How can I book a spiritual retreat at Cîteaux Abbey?

If you would like to make a spiritual retreat at Cîteaux Abbey, simply contact the monastery’s hotelier directly via the website. The stay lasts from 2 to 7 days and there are 40 rooms. Please note that Cîteaux Abbey is not open to tourists, but exclusively to spiritual retreats.

Why visit Cîteaux Abbey?

Cîteaux Abbey is a veritable nugget made in Burgundy for lovers of heritage and spirituality. Founded in 1098 by Robert de Molesme and revitalised under the impetus of Saint Bernard, this monastery is none other than the cradle of the Cistercian order. In addition to its fascinating history, the site, still inhabited by the monastic community, also gives visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the religious way of life of the Cistercian monks.

What kind of cheese is produced at Cîteaux Abbey?

Cîteaux Abbey sells a cheese made on site by the Cistercian monks. Cîteaux is a cheese that is emblematic of Burgundy, thanks to its mild, creamy flavour. Made from the milk of Montbéliard cows reared in the abbey, the monastery’s cheese is produced in a meticulous, authentic way that respects traditional know-how.

Cîteaux Abbeya Cistercian history in 4 chapters

Cîteaux Abbey

Once upon a time, there was a place of absolute zenitude wisely tucked away on the Burgundy Grands Crus Route. It was, of course, Cîteaux Abbey! More than just an abbey, this medieval building gave birth to a whole new monastic order: the Cistercians. Founded over 1000 years ago, the abbey is still inhabited by a proud community of monks. Discover the fascinating history of this major French religious heritage site in 4 chapters.

Chapter I Zen and the Reed

In La Fontaine’s famous fable, the reed shows the boastful tree that bending in the wind does not mean breaking. And the reeds of Cîteaux Abbey will not deny it. More than a thousand years ago, the building came to life amidst the marshes of the Saône plain and the reeds (cistels) that gave their name to the abbey. Today, the cistels sit elegantly in the 400-hectare garden. It has to be said that their crimson colour is a lovely addition to this religious site, now inhabited by Cistercian monks.

Cîteaux Abbey, cradle of the Cistercian Order

Burgundy owes the foundation of the abbey of Cîteaux to Robert de Molesme in 1098. Several centuries later, this monastic monument became the cradle of the Cistercian order in France and spread throughout Europe, with more than 1,400 monasteries and convents. It was a veritable religious movement that inspired Saint Bernard to found the Abbey of Clairvaux, one of the greatest Cistercian abbeys of the Middle Ages.

Chapter II Great minds meet

Was Cîteaux just a monastery? Not for the thousands of monks who recognised the place as the head of an order throughout Europe in the 15th century. It was at this time that the Cistercian religious movement took on considerable importance beyond the borders of France. The abbey enjoyed such a high profile that some of the major figures of the Middle Ages, including the Dukes of Burgundy, decided to make it their burial place. Shortly before the French Revolution, the monastery was at its spiritual and architectural peak. The abbey covered 10,000 hectares and housed a farm, stables, libraries, a pharmacy and even a residence for the Dukes of Burgundy. A veritable small town where the community of Cistercian monks flourished in a life governed by simplicity and serenity.

Saint Bernard, the Cistercian abbot

Although he was not the founder of the Abbey of Cîteaux, Saint Bernard played a decisive role in the history of the Cistercian Order. It all began in 1113, when he joined the monastery alongside the third abbot of Cîteaux. He quickly decided to found a new community as a continuation of the Cistercian order.The Abbey of Fontenaywas born, and soon became the central monastery of the order. More than just a religious figure, Saint Bernard helped to create 4 Cistercian monasteries in Burgundy, the anchor of the order in France.

Chapter III Freedom, equality, abbey

It was time for the Revolution in France. And it did not bring a wind of freedom to the Abbey of Cîteaux. On the contrary, this key period in history marked an unfavourable turning point for the Cistercian order. In 1790, the monastery became “national property” and only around ten monks were allowed to stay, while the others had to return to civilian life. Plundered and requisitioned by the revolutionaries, the abbey of Cîteaux was on the verge of disappearing. But Marie de Rochefort bought the monastery in 1898 and leased it to Cistercian monks from Switzerland. A new lease of life for the abbey and for the Cistercian order in Burgundy.

Chapter IV What a cheese!

If you’re looking for the crème de la crème of monasteries, you’ve come to the right place. Since 1925, Cîteaux Abbey has been producing a cheese with a fruity flavour that is particularly popular in France. So much so that it has been awarded the Monastic* label, guaranteeing the rarity and quality of the product. It is also so popular because it is lovingly made by Cistercian monks. From the rearing of the herd of Montbéliard cows to the maturing process, the cheese is made from A to Z on the abbey grounds. And as Brother Jean-Claude would say: Cîteaux done, Cîteaux swallowed!

* The Monastic brand guarantees the authenticity, originality and quality of its monastic products and services.

Your next spiritual retreat

How about a trip where serenity reigns supreme? Cîteaux Abbey welcomes you for a spiritual retreat lasting from 2 to 7 days. Whatever your religious convictions, share in the daily life of the Cistercian monks and take advantage of a place of peace and silence to reconnect with what’s essential. You can also take part in a guided tour of the abbey to find out how life is organised in the monastery.

For more information, go directly to the Cîteaux Abbey website!

FAQ

Where is Cîteaux Abbey?
Cîteaux Abbey is located in Burgundy, in the Côte-d’Or department, around twenty kilometres from Dijon. It is not far from Nuits-Saint-Georges, a key village on the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne, where you can also stay and visit the monastery.
Can I visit Cîteaux Abbey?
The answer is yes! Cîteaux Abbey is happy to welcome visitors for guided tours. It is best to book your time slot in advance, as places are limited.
How can I book a spiritual retreat at Cîteaux Abbey?
If you would like to make a spiritual retreat at Cîteaux Abbey, simply contact the monastery’s hotelier directly via the website. The stay lasts from 2 to 7 days and there are 40 rooms. Please note that Cîteaux Abbey is not open to tourists, but exclusively to spiritual retreats.
Why visit Cîteaux Abbey?
Cîteaux Abbey is a veritable nugget made in Burgundy for lovers of heritage and spirituality. Founded in 1098 by Robert de Molesme and revitalised under the impetus of Saint Bernard, this monastery is none other than the cradle of the Cistercian order. In addition to its fascinating history, the site, still inhabited by the monastic community, also gives visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the religious way of life of the Cistercian monks.
What kind of cheese is produced at Cîteaux Abbey?
Cîteaux Abbey sells a cheese made on site by the Cistercian monks. Cîteaux is a cheese that is emblematic of Burgundy, thanks to its mild, creamy flavour. Made from the milk of Montbéliard cows reared in the abbey, the monastery’s cheese is produced in a meticulous, authentic way that respects traditional know-how.