Photo exhibition - The last snow monks

As part of the cultural events of Saint-Joseph de Cance, discover this exhibition by Gérard Rivollier on the last snow monks.

At the end of 2021, feeling their strength decline, the monks of the abbey of Notre-Dame des Neiges, on the borders of Lozère and Ardèche, decided to dissolve their community, thus putting an end to an uninterrupted presence since 1850.

A professional journalist now retired and passionate about photography, Gérard Rivollier obtained authorization before their final departure to take images of these last “Snow Monks”.

He shared their daily life of work, meditation and prayer during two “photographic retreats”.
He was also able to speak with the last seven brothers about their very special lives, their motivations and their feelings about having to leave.

This work gave rise to an exhibition presented in 2022 at Notre-Dame des Neiges (commune of Saint-Laurent-les-Bains, Ardèche). The exhibition was then presented in particular at the municipal media library of Privas and at the “Photos dans Lerpt” festival in the Loire. A book of photographs and interviews was published in February 2023.