The abbeys and cloisters are among the most interesting and beautiful of the historic monuments in France. We have guides for many of the best known, with information about their histories and visitor guides.
Alsace
Murbach abbey (Haut-Rhin)
The remains of the abbey at Murbach, the surrounding gardens and its position in a wooded valley make it a very attractive place to visit
See Murbach abbey guideAquitaine
Abbey of La Sauve-Majeure (Gironde)
The ruins of the Abbey of La Sauve-Majeure contain some very impressive examples of roman style architecture such as carved capital stones
See Abbey of La Sauve-Majeure guide
Brantome Abbey (Dordogne)
Brantome Abbey is an impressive abbey with troglodyte caves in the beautiful town of Brantome.
See Brantome Abbey guide
Cadouin abbey (Dordogne)
Cadouin abbey was built in the 12th century in the roman style
See Cadouin abbey guide
Cadouin abbey cloisters (Dordogne)
The cloister attached to the abbey at Cadouin were built in the 15th century and among the most charming in France
See Cadouin abbey cloisters guideBrittany
Beauport Abbey (Cotes-d'Armor)
The 13th century abbey at Beauport is a lovely mix of ancient abbey buildings and gardens
See Beauport Abbey guideBurgundy
Fontenay Abbey (Cote d'Or)
The complex of buildings at the Abbey de Fontenay, and the surrounding gardens and woodlands, make this one of our favourite French abbeys
See Fontenay Abbey guide
Tournus abbey (Saone-et-Loire)
The abbey at Tournus is a 12th century abbey in roman style with a cloister, frescoes, rare mosaics and several other highlights
See Tournus abbey guideLanguedoc-Roussillon
Fontfroide Abbey (Aude)
The Abbey at Fontfroide dates from the 12th century, and is one of the most interesting abbeys in the region
See Fontfroide Abbey guideLoire Valley
Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire Abbey (Loiret)
Fans of romanesque architecture will appreciate the many period features in the 12th century Abbey of Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire
See Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire Abbey guideMidi-Pyrenees
Conques Abbey (Aveyron)
Conques abbey is a roman style church built in the 11th century in the Aveyron countryside
See Conques Abbey guideNormandy
Jumieges Abbey (Seine-Maritime)
The extensive ruins of Jumieges Abbey are one of the most visited religious monuments in the department
See Jumieges Abbey guide
Lessay abbey (Manche)
The abbey church at Lessay is an important example of roman style architecture
See Lessay abbey guideParis region
Royaumont Abbey (Val-d'Oise)
Royaumont Abbey, once one of the most important cistercian abbeys in France, is a 13th century abbey north of Paris
See Royaumont Abbey guidePays de la Loire
Fontevraud Abbey (Maine-et-Loire)
The Fontevraud Abbey has a great deal to see: it is one of the largest abbey complexes in France and most visited abbeys in France
See Fontevraud Abbey guide
Maillezais abbey (Vendee)
The ruins of the Maillezais abbey are on the edge of the marshes of the Marais Poitevin
See Maillezais abbey guidePicardy
Morienval abbey (Oise)
The Abbey of Notre-Dame at Morienval is an impressive example of Romanesque architecture
See Morienval abbey guide
Ourscamp abbey (Oise)
Ourscamp abbey is an abbey in Picardy, now in ruins and surrounded by a park
See Ourscamp abbey guide
Valloires abbey (Somme)
Valloires abbey is an 18th century Cistercian abbey with formal gardens to explore
See Valloires abbey guideProvence
Abbey of Senanque (Vaucluse)
Senanque Abbey is a roman style abbey in Provence surrounded by lavender fields and with many of the 12th century monastic buildings lovingly restored
See Abbey of Senanque guideSee more tourist attractions in France