Aube en Champagne celebrates the 900th anniversary of the Cistercian foundation, the Abbey of Claivaux in 2015
Clairvaux was founded in a secluded valley in Champagne in 1115 by St. Bernard of Clairvaux together with a dozen brothers. The Abbey rapidly found itself as the head of the 339 other Cistercian abbeys across Europe. After the French Revolution the monks left the abbey and in the 19th century it was turned into a huge French prison. It still functions as such with infamous inmates like the Carlos the Jackal, imprisoned for life. The remaining medieval buildings may be visited as part of a guided tour, which has been reorganized in connection with the anniversary.
The main event in connection with the anniversary of Clairvaux is a large exhibition in nearby Troyes: “Clairvaux. L’aventure cistercienne”. With more than 150 rare documents and objects, the exhibition tells the story of the Cistercians and their monastic, political, economic, artistic and intellectual life at Clairvaux until the Revolution. The exhibition has been curated by André Vauchez, who has also edited the accompanying catalogue.
The Archive and the Library
However, in connection with the anniversary a digitization of the former archive of the Abbey of Claivaux has also been undertaken. This site will be “open for business” in June. The archive holds 230 charters from the 12th and 13th century plus a vast amount of other material. All-in-all 67.720 pages and 1700 manuscripts have been digitized. In the following years 20.000 royal and papal documents will be made accessible. The project is scheduled to be finished in 2020 under the auspices of “Les Archives de l’Aube”.
According to an inventory from 1472 made by the abbot, Pierre de Virey, the ancient library of Clairvaux comprised 1750 manuscripts. After the revolution the library was transferred to Troyes, where more than 1150 manuscripts of these are kept. It constitutes one of the most important medieval libraries and is designated as part of the collection: “Memory of the World” by UNESCO. For more than ten years the library in Troyes have worked to digitize and catalogue the collection properly. In 2015 the whole library will be placed on-line with more than 500.000 pages. This virtual library will be accessible from the 19th of June. Patners in this project is Equipex Biblissima, Grand Troyes, the Ministry of Culture, and the National Research Council in France.
Guided tour of the Remains of the Abbey and its Neighbourhood
Of primary medieval interest is the lay refectory from the 12th century. However, it is also possible to visit the monks’ refectory from the 18th century as well as the prisoners’ chapel. This tour will be available from mid-June. However “the old guided tour” is available from March – October. It is recommended, though, to make a trip app. 70 km southwest to Fontenay, which is the best preserved of the ancient abbeys.
- Cistercian barn at d’Outre-Aube. This is used as a centre for local members and visitors, which are lay members of the Cistercian order.
- Cistercian wine cellar at Colombé-le Sec, which is now owned by the family, Calon-Egger. They produce Champagne Monial
- a Cistercian barn at Cornay (Saulcy) which is still in use by the local farmer
Find out about all the events:
Clairvaux 2015. L’abbaye de Clairvaux fête ses 900 ans
GUIDED TOUR:
Shuttle bus between Troyes and Clairvaux with visit(s) to Clairvaux and Colombé-le Sec, including champagne tasting, transport and a meal.
Information and bookings: Voyages Collard
READ MORE:
Catalogue Clairvaux. L’aventure cistercienne
Sous la direction de Nicolas Dohrmann, conservateur du patrimoine, directeur des Archives et du Patrimoine de l’Aube, Arnaud Baudin, directeur adjoint des Archives et du Patrimoine de l’Aube et Laurent Veyssière, conservateur général du patrimoine, chef de la Délégation des patrimoines culturels au Ministère de la Défense – Comité scientifique sous la résidence d’André Vauchez, Professeur émérite de l’université de Paris-Ouest-Nanterre-La Défense, membre de l’Institut
Coédition Somogy-Éditions d’art et Département de l’Aube 2015
EAN : 9782757209349