Abbaye de Fontenay Admission: Experience the Beauty of a 12th Century Burgundy Heritage Abbey

Welcome to Fontenay Abbey, a 12th-century heritage site in Burgundy! Experience the stunning and pristine architecture that has remained untouched for 900 years, and relish the tranquility of a place crafted for spiritual reflection.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Abbaye de Fontenay - Fontenay Abbey in Burgundy was founded in 1118 by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a leading French saint, and is the oldest preserved Cistercian abbey in the world.
    Recognized as French historic monument in 1862, it was declared World Heritage by Unesco in 1981. It was one of the first French monuments on this list, which has…
What's Included
  • Admission to Abbey of Fontenay
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Transportation to/from attractions
Additional Information
  • Included ts gardens and the lapidary museum.
Location
Abbaye de Fontenay
Marmagne
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(121 Ratings)
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Sabrinalev
Mar 6, 2026
Beautiful place 🤩 - Superb visit, beautifully maintained place. Thanks to the owners for letting us access this property full of positive energies. Land networks, fountains with superb rainbow trout, an incredible plane tree over 200 years old, 37 meters high and classified remarkable tree of France. Very quiet place, soothing and very pleasant welcome. It warms the heart to still see places of nearly 1000 years still protected, preserved from there so-called modernity. A place that makes you want to live there. You will also find a bookshop through which the entrance is made and a small cafeteria with vending machines to eat its picnic sheltered if necessary. We also saw hiking trails. Everything to have a great day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chrischtl33
Feb 24, 2026
Powerful place - Very nice to explore and for great photographs. Almost no visitors at that time. An entertaining excursion destination. Admission not cheap, but you can see that is renovated, restored and maintained.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Geraldine51450
Feb 19, 2026
Exceptional setting!!! - Despite the rain, beautiful site, very well maintained.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Torette23
Nov 30, 2025
One of the most beautiful we have visited in France! - Beautiful discovery! A magical place, full of history, a wonderful heritage! What more can I say?! It is to discover, visit, look, admire, photograph,... In short, take inspiration from this heritage that is almost 1000 years old, and let yourself be guided. One of the most beautiful we have visited, and we have made it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Guy
Nov 4, 2025
Burgundy Abbey: a jewel! - One of the most beautiful abbeys I know in an admirable country setting. In 1098, the Cistercian order was born in Cîteaux, an ideal of simplicity and a return to the rule of Saint Benedict. In 1112, Bernard de Clairvaux, a 23-year-old from a Burgundian family, joined Cîteaux. His charisma and fervour give new impetus to the community. In 1115, he founded the Abbey of Clairvaux, one of the first “daughters of Cîteaux”, which became a radiant center. From there several abbeys were born, including Fontenay in 1118. Fontenay is today the only abbey founded by Saint Bernard that has remained intact throughout the centuries. Rare testimony to Cistercian monastic life, it still embodies the sobriety and harmony advocated by its founder.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elisaguicheteau
Sep 8, 2025
A Cistercian experience - To discover absolutely this magnificent Cistercian abbey, one of the oldest in Europe, founded in 1118 by Saint Bernard de Clairvaux, with a guide (essential) to know all the secrets: the cloister (I love), the dormitory, the chapter room (and learn the origin of the expression "voice in chapter"), the abbey... And also enjoy its park classified "Remarkable garden", with a crush for the English garden, the garden of Simples, and for the imposing bicentennial plane tree, planted in 1780 and measuring about 40 m high.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q6211wdcaroleb
Aug 18, 2025
Discover without hesitation - For more information, prefer the guided tour, it will only cost you 3 euros more but the guide can explain many more things than the leaflet. It also puts events into context. We have learned a lot of interesting things.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Thierryferrari06
Aug 16, 2025
superb monument well presented - Suberb Monument with a beautiful garden. This abbey escaped the destruction of the revolution because it was transformed into a printing press and then restored to its original state. The guided old lady was great with simple words but very complete.
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Chsemega
Nov 25, 2025
Disappointed - Beautiful building but lacks numbers on the rooms to locate themselves because not enough with the plan The gardens are well maintained But many buildings closed to the public
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Henrilx679xo
Oct 10, 2025
Unpleasant experience TRPADVISOR - On October 2nd I received an email from TRIPADVISOR with a key to click on to print my tickets to the Abbey of Fontenay on October 6th. On several occasions, on the following moment and days, I clicked the button many times without ever getting the slightest reaction. Fortunately, once there, by presenting a screenshot of this inept email, I was able to get my tickets actually paid and enjoy this admirable monument.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $13
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).