In 1098 Robert de Molesmes founded the Cistercian order, with the intention of adhering as closely as possible to the ancient rule set down by Saint Benedict in the early 6th century. Abbeys developed rapidly during the 12th century; here the watchword was the rejection of the world in favour of a self-sufficient communal life focused on labour, proyer, and contemplation. The monks' daily existence was inextricably linked to their surrounding environment. The majestic restraint of Cistercian architecture echoes the humility and spirituality of monastic life. Starkness takes priority over decoration; abstraction excludes ornament. Le Thoronet Abbey, founded in the 1170s, is a perfect example of the intertwining of architecture and the divine world.
