Fontenay Abbey
Marmagne, France
The best preserved early Cistercian abbey in France, founded in 1118 in a quiet wooded valley. The bare church, cloister and water-powered forge are all intact.
The Cistercian abbey of Fontenay in Marmagne was founded by Bernard of Clairvaux, in 1118 according to Wikipedia and in 1119 according to UNESCO. The church was built from 1139 and consecrated in 1147 by Pope Eugenius III. Also surviving are the cloister, chapter house, dormitory, bakery and the forge from the end of the 12th century, one of the oldest industrial buildings in France. The refectory was destroyed in 1745.
After the Revolution the site served from 1791 as a paper mill run by the Montgolfier brothers. In 1906 the Lyon banker Edouard Aynard bought it and had it restored by 1911; his family still owns it. Fontenay has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981 and is considered one of the most complete surviving Cistercian abbeys. Allow one to two hours for the site; check times in advance (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- Marmagne, France
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 47.6389, 4.3890
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping municipal Les TreillesCampsite4 km from Fontenay AbbeyTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping Municipal AlésiaCampsite12 km from Fontenay Abbey · 66 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Aire de camping-car de Semur-en-AuxoisMotorhome stopover16 km from Fontenay AbbeyMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalFree
- Aire pour camping-cars du camping du Lac de PontMotorhome stopover19 km from Fontenay AbbeyMotorhomes
- Camping GCU de Frôlois Le VallonCampsite22 km from Fontenay Abbey · 25 pitchesTentsCaravans
- L'aire de camping car LaignesMotorhome stopover23 km from Fontenay Abbey · 8 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityFree
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Fontenay Abbey?
Fontenay Abbey is in Marmagne, France, at GPS 47.6389, 4.3890. It is about 30 km from Noyers.
Can you camp near Fontenay Abbey?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping municipal Les Treilles, about 4 km away; within 25 km there are 10 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Fontenay Abbey?
Fontenay Abbey is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Chablis, Vézelay and the Morvan.
What is there to see near Fontenay Abbey?
Places worth a stop nearby: Vézelay Basilica (52 km), Lac des Settons (56 km), Château du Clos de Vougeot (67 km) and Hospices de Beaune (76 km).
When is the best time to visit Fontenay Abbey?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)