Labelled a Centre culturel de rencontre in 2015, Abbaye de Sylvanès is now a Mecca for Culture, Art and Spirituality and runs a project based around music and dialogue between cultures, with the aim of experimenting, sharing and passing on knowledge.
THE HERITAGE SITE
Nestling in a wooded valley in the heart of the Occitanie region, the former Cistercian abbey of Sylvanès is a collection of simple, clean-lined buildings. It was founded at the same time as Bonneval, Thoronet and Sénanque, during the order's heyday. A jewel of Cistercian art, the abbey church has one of the widest Romanesque naves in France, giving it exceptional acoustics that lend the human voice power, clarity and fullness.
Listed as a historic monument in 1854, the abbey was bought by the municipality of Sylvanès in 1970. Since 1975, it has undergone an exceptional renaissance thanks to the dynamic action of the Association des Amis de l'Abbaye.
THE CULTURAL PROJECT
The project is centred around music and the dialogue of cultures. It is based on the issues of training, transmission, development and well-being of the person throughout life. With the major objectives of ‘Experimenting, sharing, transmitting’, the CCR project is based on five main themes: a heritage, discovery and interpretation centre, a centre for dissemination, musical creation and production as part of its festival, a centre for singing training and education, a centre for youth education and artistic practices, and a centre for intercultural dialogue.
ACTIVITIES AND ACTIONS
Enjoying an international reputation, the CCR offers vocal art training activities throughout the year for amateurs and professionals alike, numerous cultural events, mediation and awareness-raising activities for young audiences and a Sacred Music - World Music festival every summer. Since 1978, this event has offered a diverse artistic programme combining the great Western sacred repertoire and sacred and popular musical traditions from all over the world.
A highlight of cultural tourism in Aveyron, Sylvanès Abbey, one of the Great Sites of Occitania, offers an exceptional heritage. Its promotion through mediation tools adapted to all audiences is a priority of the CCR.
The beauty and serenity of its architectural and natural site make Sylvanès Abbey a living heritage site conducive to reflection and creation. Every year, the Cultural Meeting Centre supports the research and creative work of numerous artists, instrumentalists, composers and performers.
Currently, a secondary centre of activities for the accommodation of the abbey's public (Maison de Blanche and the abbey's guesthouse) is provided by Les Résidences de l'abbaye, an autonomous structure.
A TERRITORIAL FOUNDATION
The Abbey of Sylvanès is at the heart of a strong territorial development policy involving a close partnership between local authorities, the State and the territory's resources.
In its role as a unifying force in Aveyron and beyond, the cultural meeting centre strives to deepen cooperation with the department's cultural organisations and schools, the subsidised organisations of the Occitanie region, and the territory's community and social organisations. Today, the quality and diversity of the multidisciplinary activities and the extent of the influence of the Abbaye de Sylvanès bear witness to a successful experience of the economic and social development of the rural world through Culture and Cultural Tourism.