The Abbey can be visited
MonasteryMarmagne
Abbaye de Fontenay
The Abbey of Fontenay, an impressive sacred building, is picturesquely located in Marmagne in the Côte-d’Or department in the Burgundy region, France. This historic Cistercian monastery is renowned as a UNESCO World Heritage site and houses the oldest preserved Cistercian church.
History+
In 1118, Bernard of Clairvaux founded Fontenay Abbey as a daughter monastery of Clairvaux. The construction, an outstanding example of strict Cistercian Romanesque architecture, largely retained its original state. Fontenay quickly developed into a significant spiritual center where monks created valuable manuscripts and achieved successes in medieval medicine. In the 13th century, hundreds of monks lived here. With the French Revolution, monastic life ended in 1791, and the buildings were converted into a paper factory. In 1906, brothers Edouard and René Aynard acquired the abbey and began extensive restoration. Thanks to their efforts, Fontenay was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981.
Location+
Fontenay Abbey is situated in Marmagne, in the Côte-d’Or department in the Burgundy region, France, at an elevation of approximately 233 m above sea level.
On site+
Visitors can tour the abbey today and explore the well-preserved buildings. The restoration work, which began in 1906, continues to this day, offering deep insights into medieval monastic life.
Nearby+
- Château de Courcelles-lès-Montbard (castle), approx. 5.1 km away
- Château de Villeferry (castle), approx. 22.6 km away
- Château de Posanges (castle), approx. 26.7 km away
- Château Darcy (castle), approx. 27.2 km away
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Source: Wikipedia · Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Image: Hervé Rebours
This description draws on the facts documented in the linked Wikipedia article; Wikipedia content is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wording and editing: Mobile History.
Location: 47.6400, 4.3892