The entry to the abbey has always been through this gatehouse. Because it was an abbey, outsiders we not generally permitted. So the job of one of the brothers, and his dog, was to man the gatehouse.
Today it is a lovely entrance to the walled cloisters, which cover several acres of lovely gardens.
The Abbaye was originally built in the early 1100's and added to over the years. It is surrounded by forest and the dukes of Burgundy kept their hunting dogs here. A small river runs through the property and the monks farmed trout here.
The Abbaye was originally built in the early 1100's and added to over the years. It is surrounded by forest and the dukes of Burgundy kept their hunting dogs here. A small river runs through the property and the monks farmed trout here.
The entire property has been privately owned for a very long time. Imagine the cost of maintenance. The grounds alone employ 11 gardeners. It gets 120,000 visitors a year. At 10 euros per person that wouldn't cover wages.
On the left, the abbot's house. On the right, part of the cloister.
The facade of the church. Nothing fancy here. This order was Cistercian and followed St Bernard. They were into minimalism. That means no decoration and NO heating!
And a gravel floor!
Only one statue - Our Lady of Fontenay.
This building is HUGE! And no decoration. Nothing to tempt the mind to wander during long, dark, freezing cold prayers.
This is the dormitory where the monks slept. Just a straw bed and a table. The loos were miles away!
This is the chapter house, underneath the dormitory. While restoration work is underway on a small section, the whole building is in wonderful repair.
This is the beautiful courtyard, entirely enclosed by the cloisters on two sides, the abbey on the third side and the abbot's house on the fourth side.
Paul is perusing his map in front of the abbot's house (two storey). The one storey building (on the left) held the toilets and the kitchen. Fresh water for both is piped under this courtyard.
Fires were kept burning in these two huge fireplaces, presumably for cooking and hot water. These were the only sources of heat in the whole structure. The heat was not piped or ducted anywhere else in the building.
The building on the left is the infirmary with a garden of medicinal herbs.
The small windows above are in the dormitory. The larger windows at ground level are the chapter house and common room. On the right is the church. The bell, on its minimalist tower, drops it rope into the end of the dormitory. Presumably next to the bed of the duty bell ringer.
Oh, the garden was lovely. Just can't help myself.
But ..... as well as growing medicinals, raising vegetables, farming trout and tending the duke's dogs, the monks quarried iron ore near the site and established a foundry!
Next - The legendary forge of Fontenay.
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