Founded in 1118 by Saint Bernard, l’Abbaye de Fontenay is one of the oldest Cistercian monasteries created in Europe. The Romanesque gothic architecture gives this 12th century building a coherence that has survived 8 centuries of history. After visiting the monastery, you can amble through the park and gardens. The Abbey was one of the very first French sites to be registered on the UNESCO world Heritage list in 1981.
Open every day of the year:
From 12 November 2024 to 31 March 2025: from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm for self-guided tours (no booking required) or private guided tours (booking required).
From 1 April 2025 to 11 November 2025: 10am to 6pm for self-guided tours and regular guided tours (without prior booking).
From 12 November 2024 to April 2026: 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm for self-guided tours (without prior booking) or private guided tours (by prior booking only).
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