Fontevraud Abbey
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Fontevraud Abbey is 13km southeast of Saumur, and gains its importance because both French and English monarchs are buried here.
The abbey was first established in 1099. Unusually it had both a nunnery and a monastery, and was under the command of an abbess (you can see pictures of many of the abbesses in the abbey). The idea was apparently a great success and several other abbeys were established on the same basis.
The abbey is one of the largest monastic complexes in Europe and construction whilst mostly in the 12th century has continued to the 20th. The highlight of the complex is the domed abbey church, a great space with plenty of character and interest despite its size (although a little over-restored). The abbey also contains the tombstone effigies of Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart who are buried here.
Personally I liked the lovely Snow White style building which is the Romanesque kitchens and has lovely turretted rooves.
Don't miss also the carved doorway that passes through to the chapterhouse and the central interior cloister (though whilst I‘m usually a big fan of cloisters this one is a little too large and bare for my tastes).
Just before the French Revolution, Fontevraud was the most powerful abbey in France. It was transformed into a prison in 1804 and remained one until its close in 1963 (although the last prisoner apparently didn’t leave until 1985!)
The abbey is now home to a wide range of other cultural activities and exhibitions, and is a centre for medieval archaeology.
Fontevraud Abbey: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites
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Or visit Pays de la Loire gites Other holiday / vacation options Holiday villages in Pays de la Loire France camping holidays See Visit Fontevraud Abbey for places to visit near Fontevraud Abbey including: - a detailed map - villages in bloom - most beautiful villages Fontevraud Abbey property for sale See Pays de la Loire property for sale for available properties for sale and a property search |
Places to visit near Fontevraud Abbey
Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near Fontevraud Abbey.
Some places to visit within 30 km of Fontevraud Abbey are shown below (if found).
Candes-Saint-Martin Most beautiful village at 7 km Chateau Chinon Chateau at 21 km Chateau de Saumur Chateau at 17 km Chinon Town of art and history at 21 km Montsoreau Most beautiful village at 4 km Saumur Loire valley town at 16 km
See also Fontevraud Abbey (version Francais)
Airports near Fontevraud Abbey
Angers airport at 58 km Poitiers airport at 71 km Tours airport at 79 km
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Map of Fontevraud Abbey, France |
Photos of Fontevraud Abbey - click a photo to see larger version
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