Vaucelles Abbey, Les Rues-des-Vignes, France

The abbey of Vaucelles, old Cistercian abbey founded in 1132 by Saint-Bernard, is the 13th daughter-house of Clairvaux. During the era of prosperity in the 12th and 13th centuries, the community included several hundred monks, lay brothers and novices. The 12th century claustral building is the only remains of this immense abbey, now open to the public. It included the Norman scriptorium, auditorium, chapter room (built in 1170). Vaucelles is the largest Cistercian chapter room in Europe and the acoustics are exceptional. The Sacred Passage where the remains of the first three abbots of Vaucelles, canonized by Pope Alexander III in 1179, are buried.

References:

cister.net

User Reviews

Émile Boure (2 years ago)
Belles animations a themes

Sjoerd Jansma (3 years ago)
Bit disappointing, the Abbaye is nice but we thought it would be greater and more

Dirk Van Gasse (3 years ago)
Very pleasant site. No cloister or abbaye left. Only the monk's building. Must be a topper to have a feast.

Marie Danslenord (4 years ago)
Nice visit, warm welcome. The garden is very peaceful and beautiful even in October. It's just a shame that the site is less accessible for people in wheelchairs or with a stroller.

Chatane черные мечты (4 years ago)
I have known this abbey for about 25 years, I took the children to the Christmas market ... Older, I made them discover history, and today, I still go there for the pleasure of taking pictures. The welcome is very friendly, the gardens magnificent, it is a pleasure to return each time. Everything is very clean, and very well maintained. Impeccable toilets Parking right in front I recommend...

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The arrival of the Maurist monks in 1659, after the disasters of the Wars of Religion, helped to get the abbey back on a firmer spiritual, architectural and economic footing. They erected a large monastic building one wing of which fitted tightly around the chapter house (which was otherwise left as it was).

Vaucelles Abbey

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