FONTENAY ABBEY

Fontenay Abbey is a place of peace and serenity. Founded in 1118 by Abbot Bernard de Clairvaux, it is the oldest preserved Cistercian abbey in the world. Today, the cloister, chapter house, abbey church, dormitory and forge are still in perfect condition. We owe this extraordinary preservation to the family who have owned it for two centuries. The Montgolfier and Aynard families, who have succeeded each other at the head of the family, have been keen to protect this rare religious heritage since 1820, the year they bought the property. In 1981, for example, they were instrumental in having the abbey listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and opened it to visitors.

In 1996, the gardens were completely redesigned by English landscape architect Peter Holmes, creating a green setting in the heart of Fontenay's medieval architecture. In all, 9 gardens set between the abbey's various buildings cover some 2 hectares. These modern formal gardens also feature walkways that encourage reflection in this former Mecca of Cistercian spirituality. The presence of an immense 40-metre-high plane tree, planted in 1780 in the center of the abbey courtyard, forms the nerve center around which the current Grands Jardins are structured. It's as if today's landscape were the direct heir to the gardens the ^18th-century monks walked. In 2004, the French Ministry of Culture and Communication awarded the abbey the "Jardin Remarquable" label for the beauty of this natural space. Since 2022, the abbey has been pursuing this link between past and present with the creation of the Jardin des Simples, designed by architect and landscape architect Olivier Damée.

From Friday, November 14, 2025 to Sunday, February 15, 2026, Christmas festivities will take place at Fontenay Abbey. For the occasion, a Provençal crib created by Arles artist Arlette Bertello will be installed in the abbey church. Come and discover this traditional crib, composed of santons and scenes from daily life, on the theme of "The 4 Seasons". This meticulously crafted work depicts both the landscapes of Provence and typical local villages. A real treat for young and old alike! On December 13 and 14, don't miss the Christmas market, with its craft and gastronomic stalls, a festive event in which Arlette Bertello's nativity scene will take center stage.