MOLESME. – Ancient abbey in the Côte d’Or department in France, formerly in the diocese of Langres, now in that of Dijon, founded in 1075 by St Robert, founder of the Cistercians.
At the height of its prosperity it had no fewer than 64 priories under its jurisdiction. It suffered in 1472 and even more at the hands of the Huguenots in the second half of the 16th century; at that time it also declined because it was placed under commendatory rule. In 1648 it passed to the Congregation of St Maur. With the year 1789 the abbey church of the 17th century was destroyed by the Revolution; the monastic buildings are now converted into schools and private dwellings.
