Saint-Nicolas-lès-Cîteaux (Côte d’Or). In the sobriety of the lines of the define, the ideal of austerity of the Cistercian order is reflected. The building of eighty meters long, in red bricks and white stones, was built at the end of the 17th century to welcome the abbots of all the Cistercian monasteries, which gathered there to debate their rules of life. An emblematic place in the history of Cîteaux, but which has since disused and only partially open to the visit. To give it all its meaning and its chandelier, the abbey is planning its restoration, both external and interior, since 2018. This major project, now launched, should extend until 2033.
“The building is in critical condition, even if it gives the change because it is very well constructed, Summarizes the architect Martin Bacot from the Archipat agency, in charge of project management. It is a unique place in the world, one of the signatures of the organization of the order of Cîteaux, but its understanding is difficult today. When we enter it, we do not know if we are in a cloister, a religious building, a civilian building … ” The building was not unscathed out of the throes of the revolution, then underwent a fire in 1877. Since then, the define has not been restored. The roofs are deteriorated, the frames collapse in part and many water infiltrations have accelerated its degradation. Since last January, work on external treatment have thus started. The first stone, symbolically laid on March 21, signed the kick -off of this first phase, which is expected to get away in five slices over five years. The first four will focus on the roof, starting from the gable is west, then the last on exterior joinery. “” These are fairly technical work, which includes a fairly large and somewhat unprecedented share of reuse for us, specifies Martin Bacot. It is not a framework for frame, but rather the recreation of a new frame with old woods. This environmental dimension with the re -use of materials is an important aspect of the site. »»
The dilapidated interior of the define of the Abbey of Cîteaux.
© Francis Meslet
For this first phase of site, the bill amounts to 7.5 million euros. The Cîteaux Congregation and the International Association Cîteaux Mater Nostra were able to count on the aid of the State, the Region, the Department and private contributions (more than a million euros via the Heritage Foundation). But to carry out the project, an additional 7.5 million euros will still be necessary.
This second part of the work, planned from 2030 to 2033, will relate to the interior design of the place. Because if the building is very dilapidated from the outside, it was also deeply altered inside. In the 19th century, the defense served as a sugar factory, then as a learning center for a childhood agricultural prison colony. And to adapt to these new functions, the site has undergone several modifications. Cast iron floors, industrial architecture, end of certain bays … “ The idea is not to erase anything from this story of the building, which has gone through time in a somewhat chaotic way. It will therefore not be an absolute return to a past state, but we will recover the elements that have lost, over time, a little of their expressive scope ”underlines Martin Bacot. The walls will be returned with reuse bricks, a new floor deployed on the entire gallery and the open bays so that the place finds its original lighting.
The define of the Abbey of Cîteaux.
© Francis Meslet
The final objective is to revive the define by integrating a museum space, open to the public. On the ground floor, exhibition halls will present the specificities of Cistercian life, with focus on the history of the site, on the founding texts and governance bodies of the order. And on the first floor, a “Center for Studies and Research” on Cistercians will retain the archives of the Order, which will be made available to historians and researchers.
The Notre-Dame de Cîteaux abbey
History. Cradle of the Cistercian order, the abbey of Cîteaux was founded in 1098 by a group of monks, led by Father Robert de Molesme. Animated by the return to rigorous respect for the Saint Benoît rule, the community quickly takes off and radiates throughout medieval Europe. In 1197, the Mother Abbey regularly welcomed the executive committee of the general chapter, constituted by abbots of the order from all over Europe. From 1690, they gathered in the define, which then formed one of the wings of the cloister “novices”. During the revolution, the abbey is almost entirely destroyed. Today, only three buildings remain, classified as a historic monuments: the 16th century library, the 17th century defense and the “Lenoir” building, completed by the architect in 1772. The Conventual Building currently houses the Cistercian community, restored in 1898.
