Abbaye Sainte-Marie du Désert, Trappist monastery in Bellegarde-Sainte-Marie, France.
Abbaye Sainte-Marie du Désert is a former Trappist monastery built across multiple buildings in neo-Romanesque style. The central church stands out with modern stained glass windows created by Marc Soulier that flood the classical stonework with color.
The monastery was founded in 1852 by monks from Notre-Dame d'Aiguebelle Abbey, establishing a Cistercian community in this location. It operated as an active cloister until 2020, when it transformed into a community space with a different purpose.
The abbey's name draws from the desert fathers of early Christianity, reflecting a tradition of contemplative solitude that still shapes the place today. Visitors sense this quietness in the monastic buildings and cloister, where spaces are arranged around the inner life of community.
The site is now managed by the Village de Francois association, which provides accommodation and support to vulnerable people within the community programs. Visitors interested in exploring the grounds should check in advance, as access operates differently from a traditional museum or heritage site.
The crypt holds the remains of Brother Marie-Joseph Cassant, who was beatified in 2004 and continues to draw visitors to the site. This personal connection to the community's early history gives the place a touching dimension for many pilgrims.
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