Cîteaux Abbey, founded in 1098 in Côte-d'Or, France, is the birthplace of the Cistercian monastic order. Established by a group of monks seeking a simpler, more austere lifestyle, the abbey emphasizes manual labor, self-sufficiency, and a return to the original teachings of Saint Benedict. The abbey played a significant role in the spread of Cistercian monasticism across Europe, influencing the establishment of numerous daughter houses. Today, Cîteaux Abbey remains an active monastery, where monks continue to live according to their founding principles, focusing on prayer, work, and community life.