The project

Launched in March 2020, “Cistercian Abbeys and Sites, Vectors of Economic, Tourist and Cultural Development”, renamed “Cistercian Territories – Sense the History today“, is a transnational cooperation project funded by the LEADER programme. It is led by the GAL Pays des 4 Bras (Wallonia), project leader, in partnership with two other European GALs: the GAL Côte-des-Bar en Champagne (France) and the GAL Leader Oeste (Portugal). The three rural territories are thus associated around their ancient abbeys: the abbeys of Villers, Clairvaux and Alcobaça respectively, with the support of the European Charter of Cistercian Abbeys and Sites. This international association brings together 180 former Cistercian abbeys in eleven European countries.

Cistercian Territories aims to promote the role played by Cistercian abbeys and sites as historical drivers of local development. The partners wish to lay the foundations for an application for the recognition of Cistercian landscapes as UNESCO World Heritage.

Programme 2021-2022

  • The development of a rural economy network around the products sold by the former Cistercian abbeys.
  • Mediation and awareness-raising activities: educational exhibition, holographic event (3D overhead projection), promotional videos on the traces of the Cistercian monks and their heritage.
  • The organisation of an international congress on Cistercian landscapes.
  • The design of guided walks and discovery tours of the Cistercian heritage.

Partners

Contact

Pays des 4 Bras asbl

Rue Jules Tarlier, 32
B-1495 Villers-la-Ville
Company number : 666 464 432

cooperation@paysdes4bras.be

With the support of

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe invests in rural areas.

With the support of Wallonie – Bruxelles International

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