Molesme

Molesme is a former commune in the Côte-d'Or department in eastern France. On 1 January 2019, it was merged into the new commune Val-de-Meuse.

Historically, Molesme is significant for being the location of the Abbey of Molesme (Abbaye de Molesme), a prominent Benedictine monastery founded in 1075 by Robert of Molesme. The abbey became a major center of religious and intellectual life in the region. Robert of Molesme left Molesme in 1098 to found the Cistercian Order at Cîteaux, making Molesme the mother house of the Cistercian Order.

The Abbey Church of Molesme, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is a significant example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Although much of the original abbey complex was destroyed or altered during the French Revolution, the surviving church and other buildings offer insights into the history of the Benedictine and Cistercian Orders.

Today, the site of the former abbey continues to be a place of historical and religious interest. While no longer an active monastery, the remnants serve as a reminder of its rich past and influence on the development of monasticism in Europe. Visitors can explore the ruins and learn about the lives of the monks who lived and worshipped there.