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France
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Burgundy

Montbard
Marmagne

Fontenay Abbey

Discover
Places to see
France
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Burgundy

Montbard
Marmagne

Fontenay Abbey

Highlight • Religious Site

Fontenay Abbey

Recommended by 70 cyclists out of 71

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Abbaye cistercienne de Fontenay

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    Location: Marmagne, Montbard, Burgundy, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France

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    Top cycling routes to Fontenay Abbey

    4.7

    (26)

    132

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    1. Maison du Canal de Bourgogne – Fontenay Abbey loop from Vitteaux

    90.8km

    06:01

    370m

    370m

    Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Hard

    4.4

    (8)

    25

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    2. Fontenay Abbey – Parc Buffon loop from Benoisey

    26.1km

    01:50

    210m

    210m

    Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Moderate

    4.5

    (4)

    17

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    3. Parc Buffon – Fontenay Abbey loop from Montbard

    13.9km

    00:50

    100m

    100m

    Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Easy

    Tips

    September 25, 2021

    The Abbey of Fontenay is one of the "daughters" of Citeaux. The Cistercian movement was founded by Bernard de Clairvaux, in Clairvaux itself in the current department of Aube, in the Champenoise region. The religious movement spread after the creation of the main abbey in Burgundy which took the name of Citeaux. The latter was created in 1068 between Beaune and Seurre then the order spread throughout France and Europe. The Cistercian movement comes from the name of a plant, the Cistella, which grew in the swamps that the monks were trying to clean up. In memory of their struggle in the face of hostile nature, they named their order after this simple plant. This movement starts from the observation that to touch God, we must live by humbly working the earth. The Fontenay building is a perfect example of sobriety, simplicity and silence. All these attributes reflect the very soul of the Cistercians and are found here.
    For more information and visiting times, here is the abbey's website: abbayedefontenay.com

    Translated by Google •

      August 7, 2024

      The Abbey of Fontenay was, like all monasteries and places of worship, of course founded or built first and foremost as a place of prayer. Due to its outstanding importance, it has also been "ennobled" by UNESCO with the title of "World Cultural Heritage". The German-language television series "Treasures of the World - Heritage of Humanity" documents these special sites all over the world in quarter-hour contributions. One episode also deals with this abbey, on the website you can read:

      * "France at the end of the 11th century. Christianity has prevailed. The noble abbots of the Benedictine monasteries live in prosperity. The monks' ideal of poverty and modesty seems to have been forgotten. A new order is founded in Burgundy. It calls on its followers to return to original Christian ideals: to work and poverty, to humility and seclusion from the world. The monks found their first monastery "Citeaux", after which they later call themselves Cistercians. The religious order grows quickly. The monks clear the forests and regulate the rivers. Their religious houses soon spread across France and into Germany. The Fontenay monastery was founded under them." The film is available in the ARD media library at the following link: => ardmediathek.de/video/schaetze-der-welt/fontenay-frankreich-folge-11/swr/Y3JpZDovL3N3ci5kZS83MjQ3MjIw

      Translated by Google •

        July 3, 2017

        The Abbey of Fontenay (Fontanetum) is a Cistercian monastery founded in France in 1118 by Bernhard von Clairvaux, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.
        The Abbey of Fontenay, one of the most important in Burgundy, is located in the Côte-d'Or department, about 60 km northwest of the city of Dijon, about 6 km from Montbard, in a remote, original Bachtal valley. It has the oldest surviving Cistercian church. The location corresponds to the Cistercian tradition of erecting monasteries in remote valleys on a watercourse. As fish was considered a staple of Cistercian cuisine, creeks accumulated in ponds often have the appearance of Cistercian abbeys. The surrounding wilderness avoided distraction and temptation through the mundane business of towns and villages.
        Fontenay was founded in 1118 by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux as a subsidiary (Filiation) of the Primary Abbey of Clairvaux in the Valley of Marmagne. The building is a manifesto of the strict Cistercian Romanesque and largely corresponds to the original condition. Fontenay quickly became one of the region's leading spiritual centers: the monks crafted valuable manuscripts and achieved success in the medicine and medicine of the High Middle Ages. In the 13th century, hundreds of monks lived in Fontenay.

        Monastic life ended with the French Revolution in 1789: in 1791 the last nine monks left Fontenay. After the sale, a paper mill was set up in the buildings of the abbey, the basilica was increasingly threatened by decay.

        In 1906, the wealthy brothers Edouard and René Aynard bought the entire abbey and began the elaborate restoration that continues to this day.
        (Source: Wikipedia)
        In the original it is even more beautiful and impressive!

        Translated by Google •

          July 25, 2022

          Very beautiful and impressive. It's very quiet here. Everything is lovingly cared for. It still breathes something of the history of the monastery. A special place.

          Translated by Google •

            January 4, 2021

            Impressive - is a bit away from the action

            Translated by Google •

              October 13, 2025

              Take your time and do as the monks do: 20 minutes for the cloister. Or at least 5 minutes for one length, and let your mind wander and meditate. Have fun.

              Translated by Google •

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                Elevation 300 m

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                Location: Marmagne, Montbard, Burgundy, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France

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