On December 17, 2025, the first phase of the restoration of the Definitoire – a 17th-century listed Historic Monument – was successfully completed. The first quarter of the building was entrusted to skilled craftsmen and master artisans under the direction of Martin Bacot, Chief Architect of Historic Monuments for Côte-d’Or.
First envisioned in 2018 by the monastic community of Cîteaux Abbey, this project aims to restore and repurpose a landmark building deeply marked by time and history. Works officially began on January 6, 2025, with six local and regional companies mobilized on site.
This initial phase, designed to secure and save the structure, is part of a five-stage program focused on restoring the building envelope (roof and exterior protection). A major milestone has now been reached:
- Roof and timber structure restored, reusing sound wood wherever possible
- Roof slope adjusted to 40%, echoing the nearby 15th-century library
- 35 m³ of timber used, including 5 m³ reused
- 320 m² of roofing installed using over 20,000 “Historic Monument” flat tiles, produced by the last artisanal tile maker in Côte-d’Or (Laurent Tileworks)
- Stonework repaired and replaced using stone from nearby quarries (Corton, Comblanchien, Prémeaux, etc.)
- Historic nesting openings preserved to protect local wildlife (falcons and owls)
- The building’s signature architectural feature — a suspended keystone on ramping arches — was restored (the keystone alone weighs over one ton)
- Leadwork added to protect exposed arches from harsh weather
- Temporary closures installed to make the building weather-tight ahead of the final joinery installation planned for 2029
Throughout the project, priority is given to local craftsmanship and materials, with reuse and short supply chains helping reduce the site’s carbon footprint.
On March 21, 2025, the launch of this multi-year restoration (running until 2029) was officially marked with a symbolic ceremony: Dom Pierre-André Burton, the 75th Abbot of Cîteaux, sealed a parchment into the stone for future generations, alongside local authorities, patrons, donors, and supporters.
The second phase of works begins on January 5, 2026. Once completed, the building will open to the public:
- the ground floor will host four exhibition rooms as part of a guided visit experience dedicated to the Abbey and the Cistercian Order
- the upper floor will become a conservation center for Cistercian archives, accessible to researchers and historians
About the Definitoire
Historically, the Definitoire served two purposes: a novitiate (training of new monks) and a governance space, as the “definitors” formed the executive committee of the Cistercian General Chapter, which gathered abbots once a year at Cîteaux.
