Abbaye de Fontenay
Abbaye de Fontenay
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
The Abbey of Fontenay was founded by Saint Bernard in 1118. It is one of the oldest Cistercian abbeys in Europe. The Romanesque architecture offers a remarkable unity to all buildings remained intact since the Middle Ages. The Abbey was transformed into a paper mill after the French Revolution by the family Montgolfier and was bought back in 1906 by Edouard Aynard, the ancestor of the present owners who continue on safeguarding this masterpiece of Romanesque art. The old Abbey of Fontenay (12th century) was one of the first monuments to be inscribed on the Unesco world heritage list. This classification has distinguished the exceptional value of Fontenay and its environment. Free Parking and gift shop. Until 1/11/2020, Fontenay Abbey is open every day from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Regular guided tours will take place only on weekends in French. From 02/11/2020 to 18/12/2020, only the week-end from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and free tour only.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
983 reviews
Excellent
722
Very good
216
Average
38
Poor
5
Terrible
2
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Jules060617
Lausanne, Switzerland1,481 contributions
Mar 2022
Not surprisingly for contemplation was the key focus, the Abbaye de Fontenay is rather out of the way at the end of a quiet valley far from the bustle of towns and motorways. It is very important historically as one of the earliest Cistercian abbeys. It is now privately owned by a foundation and has been well restored so as to give a fairly true impression of its former self. The church is still standing and has a number of interesting tombs, the cloister is lovely and the forge interesting.
Written May 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bertholt B
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Couples
Romanesque architecture is above all also light guidance. In the departmental church, however, floor lights are placed everywhere on the columns and walls. They massively disturb an authentic impression that can only be obtained by the incidence of daylight, as would be typical for a Romanesque sacred building.
In addition, baroque music is constantly played from a CD in the department church. That's half a millennium off.
Conclusion: What one is promised: an authentic impression of a medieval Cistercian monastery - is disturbed without need and by brutal means. You better not go there so you don't have to be angry about so much misunderstanding.
In addition, baroque music is constantly played from a CD in the department church. That's half a millennium off.
Conclusion: What one is promised: an authentic impression of a medieval Cistercian monastery - is disturbed without need and by brutal means. You better not go there so you don't have to be angry about so much misunderstanding.
Automatically translated
Written August 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerson van Luijk
Rotterdam, The Netherlands427 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
This is a serene abbey in an amazing setting. Worth to go from the main road. Try to avoid the bus loads of guests.... Not everything is accessible, but that make it a more mysterious place. The church is impressive due to its emptiness. Also the forge is cool and gives an historic feeling. The museum is small, but makes sense for this place.
We don't do tours by the way. You do not need that for everything.
We don't do tours by the way. You do not need that for everything.
Written May 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
publiussulla
Seattle, WA291 contributions
Apr 2022
This was a great place to walk around and soak up a bit of history. It is like stepping back into time at this mostly preserved medieval abbey. Beautiful gardens and historic buildings are the main themes here with the handout that was provided by the staff. If you stop here and then go onto Vezelay you get a discount. Nice place to visit and highly recommended for those that like history, culture and a peaceful surrounding.
Written April 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LĂ©a C
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Couples
Beautiful place, perfect renovation, an eternity moment as a couple we loved recommend. Welcoming and warm staff, especially the young bookstore saleswoman who had informed us very well on the phone before. See for yourself the beauty of this beautiful place
Automatically translated
Written August 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravellingJen
Orlando62 contributions
Located between Paris and Dijon, we found this peaceful little abbey to be an intriguing almost forgotten piece of history. Once the home of 200 monks the abbey is influenced modern civilization in numerous ways that you will learn about as you tour the grounds. The very quiet and peaceful spot is a perfect place to bring a lunch. The Burgundian abbey was founded around 1188, and is located at the end of a valley with a pleasant stream. Off the beaten track, but an interesting worthwhile stop. Some may find it dull, we thought it interesting and beautiful. Enjoy!
Written August 14, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rolf W
Wettingen, Switzerland166 contributions
May 2022
An abbey you have to see for yourself. Wonderful park in excellent shape. You may enter in several buildings and check out the old architecture, You may spend hours in the ample garden area and walk around freely.
Must see place when you stay in Burgundy.
Ample parking lots close by.
Must see place when you stay in Burgundy.
Ample parking lots close by.
Written May 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rolf W
Wettingen, Switzerland166 contributions
May 2022
Wonderful abbey to visit. Ample space to walk around. Buildings are in good shape, wonderful park to spend hours to relax.
Must see place when you stay in Burgundy.
Ample parking lots close by.
Must see place when you stay in Burgundy.
Ample parking lots close by.
Written May 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wmcca
Stevens Point, WI176 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
This was the best preserved abbaye in four weeks of travel in Normande and Bourgogne (Burgundy), but they have all been stripped to the bone.
I think of the entrance fee as not how much I enjoyed the visit, but an opportunity to preserve the structures.
The French rave about the place. I think they are proud and maybe the government pays them to be enthusiastic.
I think of the entrance fee as not how much I enjoyed the visit, but an opportunity to preserve the structures.
The French rave about the place. I think they are proud and maybe the government pays them to be enthusiastic.
Written April 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah M
Kent, OH37 contributions
Jan 2014 • Solo
The Oracle at Delphi famously said "Know thyself" and that is especially true when traveling. I say that because the Abbey at Fontenay has an incredible appeal for a certain type of traveler. Personally, I love monasteries. I have visited really countless ones in Europe. They give me a sense of peace. Often they are set in beautiful natural settings as Fontenay is. So, if you are the kind of person who likes to go to somewhat out of the way places and just drink in atmosphere, then Fontenay is for you. Fontenay is just amazing. I don't even know what words to use. I was lucky bc I went in January so I basically had the place to myself and that's what I wanted. I just sat in a window in the scriptorium and tried to blend with the place. Oh and I took about 50 million selfies. I didn't have a car (the Hertz office in Beaune is to be avoided at all costs unless you like rude treatment) so getting there was a tiny bit challenging but not really. Just take a train from Dijon to Montbard (hint: they pronounce it Mome-BAH, even though I speak a little French I would never have figured out that spelling from the pronunciation). And from there you can get a taxi. As of Jan 2014 the RT cab fare was 24 euro. You pay when they come pick you up. It's not always the same taxi so if you see a taxi at the appointed hour, ask if they're there for you. Bottom line, I loved Fontenay. It's on my list of top 5 things I've seen, ever, but then again I'm pretty sure I was a monk in a past life. When I texted a friend he asked if they made abbey style ale. The answer is no. It's not a working monastery. It's privately owned and no you can't get a beer there (so byo if you want, there's no open container laws in Europe).
Written January 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are taxis readily available at Montbard train station? Also for return to train station from Abbaye de Fontenay? Thanks!
Written August 23, 2022
Direction_Abbaye
Marmagne, France
Sorry to answer in english: Yes, dogs are allowed inside Fontenay as long as they are kept on a leash.
Written April 29, 2019
How much time should we allow ourselves to visit/tour the Abbey? We will be taking the train from Beaune up to Paris and I’d like to stop here.
Written August 2, 2018
Direction_Abbaye
Marmagne, France
Good morning.
Thank you for your interest in Abbaye de Fontenay.
The abbey can be visited in about 1 hour, with the choice of self tour or guided tour (timings can be found on the webite, link not allowed here).
Fontenay is a very relaxing place, so you can spend as much time as you want touring the awarded gardens.
Last but not least: the abbey stays very cool during the hot days of summer. All natural 12th century air conditionning !
we hope to see you soon at Fontenay.
Best regards
Written August 3, 2018
We are a group of 20 that will be visiting the Abbaye on Sunday October 1st in the afternoon. Would it be possible to have an English guided tour? Thank you!
Patty Savage
Written August 8, 2017
Direction_Abbaye
Marmagne, France
Hello
Sorry for not answering earlier.
It is of course entirely possible to have a private guided tour in english.
Please contact us directly at by mail or through our website (indicated on our tripadvisor page) to book if you have not done it yet.
Thank you very much
Written August 24, 2017
How long does it take to cycle from Montbard? Is it all up hill
Written July 18, 2017
Direction_Abbaye
Marmagne, France
Hello
Thank you for your question
Abbaye de Fontenay is just 6km away from Montbard. It should take you about 20 minutes.
it is mostly flat, an easy ride!
We hope to welcome you soon at Abbaye de Fontenay
Written July 18, 2017
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