ABBAYE NOTRE DAME D'IGNY

The foundation charter of the abbey of Igny is dated 1126. To thank St. Bernard for his intercession in Reims to settle a dispute between the people of Champagne and Archbishop Renaud de Martigny, the latter offered him land to found a monastery. The monks of the Abbey of Clairvaux, whose fourth foundation this was, arrived in 1128. They settled slightly higher and further south than the present location, and then moved to the present location. Under the abbatiate of Guerric, from 1138 onwards, the monastery experienced great influence and the community developed rapidly. In the 14th century, new buildings were constructed. The following centuries saw the decadence of the abbey, with the regime of the Commende, the devastating wars, then the Revolution... A timid revival came in the second half of the 19th century, stopped short by the Great War. Major renovations took place between the two wars, on the model of an ancient Cistercian monastery, the Loc-Dieu in Aveyron, by covering the concrete construction with stone from previous monasteries.

Since 2009, after the work necessary to accommodate 65 nuns completed in 2011, several former small communities of other abbeys that had to close due to lack of sufficient numbers, were brought together to refound a new larger community in favor of their union: these are Belval in the Pas-de-Calais, La Grâce-Dieu in the Doubs and Igny in the Marne, and in 2010 the Cistercian community of Ubexy in the Vosges. For their work the nuns have created a modern chocolate workshop.

Today all those who come to the monastery are received by the sisters with respect and humanity. Peace, prayer and the Word of God are offered to them so that they can recharge their batteries and gain new spiritual strength.

Their renovated guesthouse welcomes those who wish to find a place of prayer and silence. Guests can be received individually or in groups. They are invited to join in the prayer of the community. They can organize their stay themselves and can ask for the spiritual help of a nun. A library is at their disposal. The surrounding countryside offers many opportunities for relaxation and meditation. The length of stay at the hostel is limited to a maximum of eight days. Meals can be taken in silence in a separate dining room. Everyone is responsible for the upkeep of his or her room and helps with the dishes.