TravellingJen
位于巴黎和第戎之间,我们发现这间宁静的小修道院几乎是个被人遗忘的美丽的历史片段。曾经这间有着200名僧侣的修道院的许多方面都影响着现代文明,这些在你参观院子的时候就会了解到。这个及其安静祥和的地方非常适合带午餐去那里吃。勃艮第修道院大概始建于1188年,位于峡谷的尽头,旁边有一条宁静的小溪。很偏僻,不过是个做礼拜很棒的地方。有些人可能觉得它有些沉闷,但是我觉得它很漂亮、很有趣。太愉快了!
dorjek2014
This place is like paradise. I was there when it was quiet in November with the beautiful golden woods all around. All though no longer and Abby with monks it has a lovely atmosphere and many things to see. It really is worth a visit. Ask for the guided tour which costs €2.50 extra.
likebeach
Way beyond my expectations. The grounds are beautiful and impeccable. Not even a leaf on the groomed lawns. Wonderfully restored buildings. We lucked out on the weather so we could take our time and have a leisurely tour of all the buildings. Great tombs in the chapel and they had chants playing so it made me have goosebumps (one of those thin places in the world).
lncclc
This is a fantastic day trip from Dijon or Beaune or Auxerre. The Abbaye has a troubled past and has been beautifully restored by private owners. Very many photo opportunities of old building and the gorgeous grounds. Well worth the 10 Euro to get in. Good parking at the site.
10DoreenH
The beautiful Abbaye de Fontenay is atmospheric - the chanting of plainsong in the abbey itself is haunting and evocative - and the cloisters and gardens serene and peaceful. A wonderful place to visit.
ChampagneTruffle
If you are anywhere nearly then take a detour and visit. It's a beautiful, peaceful, stunning restoration. It's well worth exploring. Don't forget to look up - the ceilings are particularly photogenic.
SteveC558
As most people have written here, L'Abbaye de Fontenay is a fine example of a well-restored Cistercian abbey and well worth a visit, especially if you luck out and go on a fine day. The grounds are very well kept and provide a lovely, peaceful setting.For the more active amongst us, or people coming through town by train, there is a pleasant walk through the woods from Montbard to the abbey (6-7km one way). For 50 cents the Tourist Information office next to the train station provide a map but the detail is not great and unless your French is up to scratch, the directions may not be much help. The tourist office will also look after your bags if you're visiting on the way through, and I think they hire out bikes too.For the price it's worth getting the map but I've summarised the main points below:The route takes you up Sentier des Vignes Blanches from near the town centre and affords fine views back down to Montbard. When you are well out of town you will reach a small junction where there is a sign towards the Abbey. Turn right and go down the hill to the main road (D980).At the main road, turn left and walk for 50m or so until you see a signposted track on the right. This is the main walking route to the Abbey but be warned: the sign posts are infrequent. You need to look out for daubs of purple paint on the trees to show you the right way. If it's a purple cross you're going the wrong way!These markers will lead you through the woods and out the other side to where you cross a quiet country road and join a well defined path that threads along a peaceful valley to the Abbey.There is a drinks and snack machine at the Abbey but no cafe or restaurant so pack a drink for the walk. The return is probably best by the same route. There is an alternative route signposted which takes you into the woods to the north of the Abbey but I'd give it a miss unless you've got a thing for forestry plantations!
donc910
In reading the recent posts, I agree with them all.It, too, was drizzling for us on the day we visited, which it now realise was July 28, so maybe we were there at the same time of day as the other reviewers.We have visited lots of Abbeys, Castles, Old Villages, Chateaux, etc, during our 6 weeks in France and they all offer something different, but this is certainly a fine example of a well restored/maintained Abbey. I'm glad someone had the foresight to bring it back to its former glory, after having some of it's life being used as a paper mill!
906rowanr
This Abbey is extremely well preserved and a joy to visitThe Buildings are beautiful and the gardens have a tranquility which is breathtakingThe forge where the first hydro hammer was invented is really the place where the industrial revolution began amazing!
DonPaulo
Cistercian abbeys tend to be located in remote river valleys. This one is no exception. The austerity of the places usually make them pretty uninteresting places to visit. But, this one has some significant points of interest. It is reputed to have have the oldest water-driven forge in Europe. Whether it is or not, the mechanism is quite ingenious and will be of interest to children and adults with a curiosity about how things work. For the nature and garden lovers the abbey has a beauty they are sure to enjoy.
FredvanhetNederend
A very well restored 12th century Abbey close to Montbard, easy access with bike and car. Friendly personnel who you can ask everything for a fair entry of 10 Euro pp. The visit will take about 1 1/2 hour. Time very well spent if you like historic, religious places with an interesting background story.
jeaton72
Well preserved and compact abbey. Unesco site (dont quite know why as I think other sites are probabbly more worthy). Still woprth a visit though
diana56
The Abbey is Unesco world heritage. So it can be busy. But on a rainy day it is the perfect place. The soft music, the faded colours, the trees, every stone tells a story. The more amazing when you find out it became a paper Mill... Luckily restored to a slight melancholical flirt
MaryMacDublin
Unesco site - and an important feature in this area along with other chateaus. You will find plenty of info on the Abbey on the internet. Check it out.
DrJohnChris
They say that bankers are the bad guys but this is not always true. This old Cistercian abbey was abandoned by the order in the 16th century and became a factory, which in turn was abandoned. 4 generations of a banking family have restored it back to how it must have been when the monks lived there. The buildings have a purity that calms the soul. All pure romanesque in style. There is a reproduction of the first hydraulic hammer in Europe in the 13th century. Fully deserves World Heritage status.