Abbaye Saint-Joseph de Clairval

The Abbey and surrounding village

About sixty kilometers north of Dijon city center sits the Benedictine Abbey of St. Joseph of Clairval in Flavigny. It is a traditional community celebrating Mass according to the 1962 rite. The monastery was founded in 1976, although the village had had a Benedictine Abbey since the 7th century, up until it was closed during the Revolution.


Sint Unum: Coat of Arms of the Founding Abbot

In 1700, the Marquis de Souhey built a chateau in Flavigny, with extensive grounds and a terraced garden. After his death, the home went to various owners, until 1829, when it was bought by Ursulines, who added various wings to the chateau. in 1906, France issued a decree of expulsion, driving out all religious orders. It afterwards became the seat of the minor diocesan seminary. It was during World War II that the last of the construction was completed. The current community moved in in 1976, and proceeded to renovate the grounds, including the conventual church, finished and solemnly blessed in 1979.

The community received canonical recognition as a Benedictine monastery of diocesan right in 1988. The monastery was raised to the rank of abbey in 1992 at the request of the Holy See. The current community numbers around fifty members.


Inner Courtyard


Blessed Charles de Foucauld


Parlor Courtyard


Inner Courtyard in Snow


Entry to the Sanctuary, with St. Joseph standing sentinel


The Sanctuary


The Altar


Crux sacra sit mihi lux! Nunquam draco sit mihi dux!


Twelfth Station of the Via Dolorosa


Close-up of Stall



Our Lady of the Sacred Heart


St. Joseph Oratory


Staircase to the Tribune


St. Angela Chapel


St. Augustine, in the St. Angela Chapel


The Virgin's Garden


Eighteenth Century Terraces and Vegetable Garden


St. Gabriel


The Hedge at Dawn


Hedge Cross in Winter