Abbaye de Fontmorigny

The origins of Fontmorigny Abbey date back to the year 1100, when a hermitage was established on this site. Before 1127, it developed into a Benedictine abbey. In 1149, the monastery joined the Cistercian order as a daughter house of the primary abbey of Clairvaux. Many of the current buildings were already constructed in the 12th century. Around 1225, the abbey church was consecrated, and at the beginning of the 13th century, the monastery housed over 100 monks. The groin vaults of the guest wing's cellar date from this period. The lay brothers' refectory was built in the mid-13th century. After 1250, the number of lay brothers decreased, and the monastery, which then only housed about 20 monks, was expanded more luxuriously. A new guest wing was added at the end of the 15th century. In the 16th century, when the monastery fell into commendam, a house for the commendatory abbot was built, of which a vaulted kitchen and a staircase are preserved. Around 1605, the choir of the church was altered.