The Abbey
Your first view as you enter the grounds of the abbey
Photos of Fontenay Abbey
Photos of Fontenay Abbey in Burgundy
(Click any photo to zoom)
The UNESCO shield
The Abbey was declared World Heritage in 1981
The Cloister
Dating from the 12th century, the well-worn stones were walked upon by the meditating monks.
The Cloister
A view from the centre the of cloister
The Church interior
A view of the interior of the church with its spectacular columns
The Church
The 12th-century construction was plain and of modest design.
The Virgin of Fontenay
A beautiful 13th-century sculpture of a Virgin and child, which was return to the Abbey in 1929
The Dormitory
Leading off from the church is a staircase which gives to the dormitory where the monks slept.
The Cloister from above
Looking from the dormitory onto the cloister
The Church interior
Another view of the interior of the church.
The Cloister
During the daytime, there is always light and shadows within the Cloister.
The Common Room
The common room, the chapter room and the scaristy.
The forge
A view of the interior of the forge with the bellows and hearth
Water wheel
Hydropower supplying energy to the forge
The House of the Commendatory
Dating from the 12th century
New Gardens
The new gardens with raised beds, with vegetables, herbs and flowers which would have been grown at the Abbey
