Discover the Abbey of Fontenay: Burgundian religious building

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Fontenay is a Cistercian abbey founded in 1118 by Saint Bernard of Clarivaux. It is located in the north of Burgundy in the town of Marmagne, in the department of Côte d’Or.

Now deconsecrated, it has been classified as an historic monument since 1862 and was named a world heritage site in 1981. It was one of the first French buildings to be placed on this prestigious list. It is one of the oldest Cistercian abbeys in the world, and one of the best preserved. It is one site you should not miss when you are touring Burgundy.

 

An abbey with an eventful past

Following a succession of abbots, King Louis exempted the abbey from tax laws. This allowed the monks to advance the economic interests of the abbey. In 1269, Fontenay became a royal abbey, which allowed the monks to elect their own abbot.

Nevertheless, the abbey was routinely subject to a pillaging of its riches.  Over time, the abbey declined and only housed a dozen monks, while it housed more than 100 at its height. 

This was at the time of the French Revolution in 1789, which delivered the coup de grace: the dozen or so remaining monks were chased out in 1790. One year later, Fontenay was sold by the revolutionaries and once it was bought by Claude Hugo, it became a paper mill. In the photos from the time, one can see a smokestack placed on the roof of the abbey’s church. It was therefore its usefulness that allowed the current buildings to be conserved.

Following this, in 1820 it was bought by Elie Montgolfier, the nephew of the inventors of the hot air balloon.

Eventually, other members of the Montgolfier family succeeded him as owners until 1905, the year the paper mill was closed, a victim of the war of 1870 and of the industrial revolution. 

The year following the closing of the paper mill, the Abbey of Fontenay was bought by Edouard Aynard, son in law of the Montgolfiers. He decided to restore Fontenay to its religious and medieval past. To do so, he undertook significant renovations until 1911, and dismantled the industrial buildings. 

The Aynard family wanted as many people as possible to discover this medieval jewel. From 1970 on, tourism grew, which supplied the resources that allowed for the maintenance of the buildings.  Since the purchase in 1820, the Abbey of Fontenay has been managed by the same family, which continues their quest to have people get to know this fabulous building.

Today, this exceptional abbey is admired by thousands of tourists each year. 

A construction model of cistercian abbeys 

Fontenay is often used as a model to illustrate the typical plan of a Cistercian abbey. 

It is easy to imagine that at that time the plan of the Fontenay Abbey was the model for other Cistercian abbeys: The buildings for residence and prayer are carefully separated from the work buildings.  A church is attached to a cloister, a central area in the building that joins the prayer rooms and then the work rooms that are located further away.

Its cloister and its remarkable gardens are part of the unforgettable features of a visit to the abbey. The cloister is truly the heart of the abbey. It is here that the monks used to cross paths during the day. It allowed access to the prayer and residence buildings: the abbey church, the dormitories, the sacristy, the chapter house and the fireplace. 

Rates an opening hours of Fontenay

Guided tours of the abbey are offered, but you can also visit the abbey without a guide.

Opening hours

  • January 1 – March 31: 10:00 a.m./12:00 p.m.– 2:00 p.m./5:00 p.m.
  • April 1 – November 12: 10:00 a.m./6:00 p.m.
  • November 14 – December 31: 10:00 a.m./12:00 p.m.– 2:00/5:00 p.m.

 


Non guided tours

  • Regular rate: €10 
  • Under 26 and the unemployed: €7
  • Large family* - Adult: €8.80 
  • Large family* - 26 years: €5.70 
  • 3rd child or more: €2.10 

 

Guided tours

  • Regular rate: €12.50
  • Under 26 and the unemployed: €7.90 
  • Large family* - Adult: €11
  • Large family* - Under 26: €6.80
  • 3rd child or more: €3.10

*upon presentation of proof

There are also group rates, starting at 15 people. You can find more information on the website of the abbey.


Discover the abbeys of Burgundy: 

  • Cîteaux
  • Cluny
  • Fontenay
.