The Charter: a bridge between abbeys

Since 1988, owners and managers of Cistercian abbeys, including abbeys housing Cistercian communities, have come together under the Charter.

Naturally, this group began in France, where half of the Cistercian monasteries were built since the foundation of Cîteaux in Burgundy in 1098. But at the end of the 20th century, Belgian and then German abbeys joined the Charter; today, the Charter has members in more than ten countries in Europe.

Since its foundation, the association has stated its desire to ‘establish a structural link between the owners and/or managers of abbeys and Cistercian sites.’

These links between abbeys are specifically mentioned in the association's statutes, which set out its objectives (Article 1):

- to support abbeys in preserving and promoting their sites;

- to organise cultural or tourist activities to support the members of the association;

- to encourage cooperation between sites;

- to stimulate the exchange of experience and knowledge;

- to bring together individuals or organisations supporting its approach;

- to represent its members before local, regional, national, European and international authorities and administrations. 

Of the more than two thousand monasteries founded in Europe, hundreds have disappeared completely. Those that still exist are in very varied states of repair, ranging from ruins to well-preserved and/or restored buildings, or even converted buildings. The types of owners and uses are also diverse: many private estates, monastic communities, Catholic or Protestant spiritual communities (depending on the country), states or local or regional public authorities. There are also associations dedicated to the preservation of these sites, which either own or lease them.

The many abbeys that are members of 

It should be noted that the association's founding principles clearly state that it acts independently and without any religious or political involvement. Similarly, the Charter does not interfere in the heritage policy or management of its members.

(see ‘Ethics’ page). “Ethics”).

The Charter today

the Charter are perfectly representative of this diverse Cistercian heritage.

To ensure the stability of the association, a principle of non-discrimination between members is applied. The Charter treats each abbey on an equal footing, regardless of its ownership or use, size, location or the general condition of its buildings. 

Local roots and continental network

L’immense majorité des propriétaires d’abbayes est parfaitement consciente de la singularité de ce patrimoine et de son histoire. C’est la raison pour laquelle, dès les premiers temps de l’association, elle s’est attachée à proposer des sessions permettant d’approfondir la connaissance du monde cistercien; des sessions où des historiens, des archéologues, des architectes et autres experts, planchent devant nous pour améliorer nos savoirs (voir sur ce site la page “Connaissances cisterciennes”).

Sur des sujets plus contemporains intéressant nos membres, nous organisons des journées spécifiques (voir sur ce site la page “Journées d’étude”).

Être propriétaire ou animateur d’un lieu cistercien, c’est être plongé dans son histoire territoriale, tout en étant de fait rattaché à un gigantesque réseau patrimonial exceptionnel à l’échelle du continent. C’est à la fois un privilège et une charge au sens éthique du terme. 

In its own way, the Charter is part of this complex network, which is so rich in knowledge and so conducive to fruitful cultural and social ties.