Val d'Igny Abbey
The community of Cistercian nuns at Val d'Igny Abbey invites you to come and find renewal individually or in groups for stays of 1 to 8 days.
You will enjoy real independence in a setting where the surrounding countryside offers opportunities for long walks in the midst of nature and neighboring villages.
Retreats organized by the community
The history of Notre-Dame du Val d'Igny Abbey
Notre-Dame du Val d'Igny Abbey is nearly a thousand years old! Its history is marked by three main periods:
- Its foundation dates back to 1126, and the Cistercian monks from Clairvaux Abbey arrived on the site in 1128. The monastery quickly gained great influence and developed rapidly, as the community numbered more than 300 monks as early as the 12th century! Following a period of troubles and wars, the number of brothers gradually decreased. Only six brothers remained when the monastery was sold as national property during the French Revolution in 1792.
- In 1876, the building was bought back by the Church and thus Igny came back to life with about thirty Cistercian monks from Le Désert Abbey: the abbey church was consecrated and a chocolate factory was established at that time. Then came the Great War: Igny being located between the Marne and the Chemin des Dames, a field hospital was set up there, then in 1918, during the retreat of the German armies, the monastery was completely destroyed.
- Community life could no longer continue at Igny, the Cistercian brothers were welcomed at Cîteaux and the Father Abbot, knowing that the Cistercians of Laval were looking to found a women's community, offered them Igny. 30 sisters therefore came to settle at Igny starting in 1929 and quickly rebuilt the monastery. Very soon, vocations flowed in, allowing twenty-five years later the founding of Clarté-Dieu... in Congo!
The Cistercian sisters of Igny Abbey, in Marne
In a warm, industrious and fraternal atmosphere, the community of sisters at Igny Abbey belongs to the monastic family of the Cistercian Order, founded by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, and follows the Rule of Saint Benedict.
The formula "Ora et Labora" (prayer and work) sums up well the spirit of this rule: throughout the days, spiritual activities (sung offices, personal prayer, reading and meditation of the Bible), studious and manual activities (chocolate factory, guest house, crafts...) alternate harmoniously.
The sisters live together in a balanced climate of fraternity, marked by community times such as recreations, meals, work in common or welcoming guests!
What to expect during your stay
Making a spiritual retreat at Val d'Igny Abbey
The sisters of the community welcome anyone seeking a place conducive to silence and contemplation.
The length of stay at the guest house is 8 days maximum.
The community's guest house has 19 rooms, single or double. Guests can thus be received individually or in groups.
The setting for a spiritual retreat at Igny Abbey
Guests are free to organize their stay themselves according to their desires. If they express the wish, they can meet and talk with a sister.
They are invited to join the community's prayer. During the week, the offices are distributed as follows:
- 4:45 AM: Vigils
- 7:15 AM: Lauds (morning prayer) and Mass
- 9:00 AM: Terce
- 12:15 PM: Sext
- 2:15 PM: None
- 5:30 PM: Vespers (evening prayer)
- 7:45 PM: Compline
Available to guests are a library, to nourish their reflection, their faith, their prayer, and a garden.
Retreatants who request it can take their meals in silence in a separate dining room. Each retreatant is responsible for tidying their room and participating in the communal dishwashing after meals. The cost of the stay is paid according to each person's means.
Geography and activities
The chocolates of Val d'Igny Abbey
Since the 19th century, a chocolate factory has been established at Val d'Igny Abbey! The sisters continue this heritage today by offering a range of chocolates, each more delicious than the last. On site, you can taste the famous little chocolates freshly made by the sisters themselves.
Come delight your taste buds by sampling the bouchons d'Igny, famous chocolates filled with ganache in the shape of champagne corks, as well as other Champagne specialties... to die for!
Discover Marne and the Champagne countryside
Located in Marne (on the border with the Aisne department), 22 miles west of Reims, Notre-Dame du Val d'Igny Abbey is surrounded by the magnificent Champagne countryside. This offers opportunities for long walks discovering nature and the surrounding old villages.
By car, set out to discover the fortified castle of Nesles, built in the 13th century (10 minutes from Igny) or the remains, cemeteries and memorial heritage linked to the Great War, particularly the Marne Battles Memorial at Dormans (20 minutes by car from the abbey)!
Practical information
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