Rimont Priory
The Brothers of Saint John are happy to welcome you to the heart of Burgundy at their priory located between Le Creusot and Chalon-sur-Saône, south of Dijon.
Nestled between vineyards and fields, the house of Rimont is a place of renewal, peace, and prayer for those who come. Whether for an "independent" retreat, to participate in one of the activities, for a time of rest, or for a group, the doors of the guest house are warmly open to you!
Retreats organized by the community
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Life of the Saint John Community at Rimont Priory
Rimont is a hamlet in the commune of Fley, in Saône-et-Loire (71) built by the monks of the Cistercian abbey of La Ferté-sur-Grosne in the 12th century. Monks have lived there since the year 1113!
Today, Rimont Priory is the motherhouse of the Congregation of the Brothers of Saint John, but also the house of theological formation for the Brothers and Sisters of Saint John. Thus, each member typically spends a few years there for formation before being sent on mission elsewhere throughout the world!
Life at the priory is organized primarily around 4 main areas:
- Prayer, both communal and liturgical (daily: Mass, divine offices, Eucharistic adoration...),
- Community life (gathering times, shared meals, common services...),
- Studies (courses [open to all!], sessions, personal study...),
- and apostolate (formation for the laity, missions and events at the priory, at the parish, or elsewhere).
A brief history of the Saint John Congregation
The Saint John Congregation is an apostolic religious institute founded in 1975. The brothers (affectionately called the "little grays") serve the Church by leading a life of fraternal communion oriented toward mission. Together with the Apostolic Sisters of Saint John, the Contemplative Sisters, and the secular oblates, they form the great Saint John Family. The Sisters also have a priory in the hamlet of Rimont.
It is therefore at the heart of a religious and monastic life that guests are welcomed, by about forty Brothers, of different nationalities and ages, united by the same spirit, following the example of Saint John.
What to expect during your stay
Making a spiritual retreat at Rimont, in Burgundy
Rimont Priory is open to anyone who wishes to experience a time of withdrawal and rest. It offers an ideal setting (and that's an understatement) for calm, meditation, and study, surrounded by the beauty of lush nature. All reasons are good to come to Rimont:
- A time of retreat, silence, and renewal, far from the noise of the city, in a beautiful and flowery setting. The chapel and prayer times, meetings with a brother or sister, times of Scripture reading, or meditative walks, depending on your needs and desires, can help you refocus on what's essential!
- A time of rest, vacation, or tourism: simply because Burgundy is beautiful (and the Burgundians know it well!). There are many places to visit nearby: Chalon-sur-Saône, Autun, Tournus, or Paray-le-Monial, the lakes of Laives, typically Burgundian villages, the stables of Chaumont, castles (Cormatin or La Ferté), and forests...
- A time for study or work for high school students, college students, or remote workers. The setting is well-suited for concentration and calm. Plus, the air is more oxygenated...
- A time of preparation for marriage, for a sacrament, or for a commitment for couples or individuals.
- A stop for pilgrims on their journey. Rimont is an essential stop on the Vézelay-Assisi pilgrimage! *Rimont Priory is not far from Paray-le-Monial or Taizé!
- A weekend, a camp, or scouting time in the nearby woods, with water access (possibility of accessing a washroom).
- A group event: sacramental preparation, retreat, family reunion, etc. Their two guesthouses, or even the dormitories, can accommodate groups wishing to gather at the priory for a spiritually enriching time.
Welcome at Rimont Priory
As you've understood: no strict schedule! The community invites you to spend time at Rimont as you wish. While not required, you are invited to join the community's daily prayer times: Mass, divine offices (Lauds, Midday Prayer, and Vespers), mental prayer (morning), Eucharistic adoration (Holy Hour on Thursday evening).
Guests are welcomed into this large community by the guest master. They are housed in the "Bethany" guest house and can participate in the prayer life and meals with the community as they wish.
Everyone does as they please! Retreatants can use this time to recharge as they see fit: silence, encounters with the community, accompaniment or conversation with a brother or sister, walks, tourism, study, discernment time, sacraments... You should know that you can even benefit from teaching provided by the house for the brothers and sisters by requesting it!
You also have the option to come study for your exams or work remotely at the Priory, as you wish!
The guest house at Rimont Priory
The brothers' guest house offers numerous accommodation options to best adapt to your needs. It includes rooms (with one or two beds, with bathroom and toilet, including one for people with reduced mobility), two dormitories, a camping area with water access for scouts or dedicated campers, as well as two self-contained guesthouses, both equipped with a fitted kitchen. Each building has an oratory accessible 24/7.
In the Saint Joseph building (Reception), the "Martha and Mary" room is dedicated to guests: tables and chairs, kitchenette (kettle, coffee maker, microwave, refrigerator...), food (breakfast, coffee, herbal teas...), tourist brochures, piano and guitar are at your disposal! WiFi is available there upon request. For meetings or group meals, the brothers can make available to you one or two rooms with a capacity of twenty places each.
A sales area offers you all kinds of postcards, books, and handmade products made by the Sisters of the community!
Activities year-round and for all tastes
To learn the dates of these activities, contact the community by email at hotellerie.rimont@stjean.com.
DAYS AND WEEKENDS:
- Family day
- "Moms' break" day
- "Saint Joseph" evening for dads
- "Jacob's Well" family weekend
- Seniors weekend
- Couples weekend
- Engaged couples weekend (marriage preparation)
RETREATS (organized):
- Children's retreats
- Spiritual retreats (preached and with the community) for Christmas and for Easter
- Ignatian retreats
- Vocational weekend
FORMATION:
- Conferences
- "Sophia Course": theological formation for the laity weekend
- Biblical Course
Geography and activities
In the heart of Burgundy, places to visit around Rimont Priory
Rimont Priory is located in the commune of Fley in the department of Saône-et-Loire (71) in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. It is a haven of peace in a region preserved from major urban upheavals, offering walkers varied panoramas across gentle rolling hills: south-facing vineyards and slopes, meadows on the plateaus with Charolais cattle, and in some places where limestone doesn't outcrop, wheat fields.
A wine-growing land par excellence, the location offers a multitude of authentic addresses, unique appellations, beautiful estates, and passionate, generous people! The priory is surrounded by nature: contemplation is elevated by the splendid green setting offered by southern Burgundy.
The guest master can recommend wonderful walks in the area, starting from the priory. Here are already a few ideas for spots to visit around the priory:
- Chalon-sur-Saône, river city, City of Art and History: 30 minutes by car
- Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy with its colorful roofs: 50 minutes
- Autun, at the edge of the Morvan Regional Natural Park: less than an hour
- Tournus or Paray-le-Monial: each less than an hour away
- The lakes of Laives, 20 minutes away
- Typically Burgundian villages, for walking or cycling
- The Chaumont stables: one hour drive
- The castles of Cormatin or La Ferté: 20 minutes
- The Taizé community: only 30 minutes away
- The surrounding forests...
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