Fontenay Abbey - Self-guided tour

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Founded in 1118 by Saint Bernard, Fontenay Abbey is one of the oldest Cistercian monasteries in Europe. The Romanesque architecture lends a remarkable sense of unity to the complex of 12th-century monastic buildings. Following Saint Bernard’s rigorous design, visitors can explore the church, the cloister, the chapter house, the scriptorium, the warming room and the smithy, all of which remain intact.

A privately owned property, Fontenay Abbey was designated a ‘UNESCO World Heritage Site’ in 1981 and a ‘Remarkable Garden’ in 2004, and is a must-see in Burgundy.