in Cameroon. In France Aiguebelle undertook the foundation of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, in Ardèche, in 1850, followed by the Abbey of Sainte-Marie-du-Désert at Bellegarde-Sainte-Marie (Haute-Garonne); Acey Abbey at Vitreux (Jura); the Abbey of Notre-Dame des Dombes at Le Plantay (Ain); and Bonnecombe Abbey at Comps-la-Grand-Ville (Aveyron). Aiguebelle also oversees the nuns of Notre-Dame de Bon-Secours at Blauvac in the Vaucluse. Buildings Despite some demolitions and a great deal of restoration work, the abbey has kept the majority of its medieval buildings: the church, cloisters, sacristy, chapter house, refectory, kitchen and the lay-brothers' quarters. It is one of the only two Cistercian monastery premises in France - the other is the former Fontfroide Abbey - still to have the original passage of the lay-brothers, by which they were enabled to move round the abbey between their quarters, their places of work and their part of the church without disturbing the monks. The abbey church was created a minor basilica in 1937. 1891 Murder In 1891 a notorious crime occurred at the abbey. On 28 October Father Ildefonse, the procurator, was found murdered and valuables in his care stolen. The perpetrator proved to be a novice, Brother Eugène, whose secular name was Matthias Hadelt. A native of Saarlouis, Hadelt murdered Father Ildefonse upon being discovered in the act of stealing. Hadelt had committed many similar thefts from monasteries. He was sentenced to death on 4 May 1892, and died by guillotine at Valence on 5 July. See also Louis Évely Notes Sources and external links Website of the present abbey Catholic Encyclopedia (Valence) Romanes.net: photos of Aiguebelle Abbey Cistercian monasteries in France Trappist monasteries in France 1137 establishments in Europe 1130s establishments in France Religious organizations established in the 1130s Buildings and structures in Drôme Basilica churches in France Christian monasteries established in the 12th century