abbeysFontenay

Abbaye de Fontenay is a former Cistercian abbey located in the commune of Marmont, near Montbard in the Côte-d'Or department of Burgundy, France. It is recognized as one of the best-preserved and most complete Cistercian abbeys in Europe. Founded in 1118 by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, the abbey was a daughter house of the Abbey of Clairvaux. Its construction was largely completed by the early 13th century.

The abbey complex includes a remarkably intact church, a cloister, a chapter house, a dormitory, a refectory, and a remarkable forge. The architecture reflects the austere Cistercian style, characterized by simplicity, functionality, and the use of local stone. The church, in particular, showcases Romanesque and early Gothic elements. The forge, dating from the 12th century, is a rare surviving example of medieval industrial architecture and demonstrates the economic self-sufficiency of the Cistercian order.

Abbaye de Fontenay experienced a period of decline during the Hundred Years' War and the French Wars of Religion. It was secularized in the late 18th century and subsequently sold as national property. In the early 20th century, it was acquired by the industrialist Édouard Aynard, who began its restoration. Today, Abbaye de Fontenay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting visitors who come to admire its historical significance and architectural splendor. It remains a powerful testament to medieval monastic life and Cistercian achievements.