Les Matinales de Noirlac

Cultural mornings at the abbey

Les Matinales de Noirlac are cultural events organized by the Abbaye de Noirlac several times a year, usually on Saturday mornings. These events offer an original formula combining welcome coffee, lectures, and concerts, in a friendly atmosphere conducive to discussion.

Lectures and intellectual encounters

The Matinales feature lectures led by historians, researchers, and specialists. The topics covered are varied: medieval history, Cistercian architecture, early music, contemporary creation, cultural and societal issues. In 2025, historian Patrick Boucheron gave a lecture titled "Between the Middle Ages and Us", followed by a concert by the Ensemble Céladon performing German medieval songs.

Concerts and musical excerpts

Each Matinale is punctuated by musical excerpts or short concerts, related to the theme of the lecture. These musical moments are performed by invited artists or artists in residence at the abbey. Music dialogues with words, creating bridges between eras and artistic disciplines.

A program throughout the year

The Matinales take place throughout the year, generally with 4 to 6 events per year. They are part of the cultural program of the Abbaye de Noirlac and complement the festivals and concerts of the season. These meetings help to create a community of loyal spectators and foster exchanges around culture and music.

Coffee, culture, and conviviality

The Matinales begin with a welcome coffee, a moment of meeting and conviviality. The formula combines intellectual rigor and the pleasure of exchange, in the exceptional setting of the Cistercian abbey. After the lecture and concert, a time for discussion with the speakers is offered to the public.

Discover the abbey's projects

The Matinales are also an opportunity to present the artistic and cultural projects of the Abbaye de Noirlac: artists in residence, festival programming, exhibitions, restoration work. These meetings contribute to the abbey's cultural mediation mission, as a Centre Culturel de Rencontre.