Abbey of Pontigny (de Pontigny) - one of the oldest in France

The abbey of Pontigny was founded by the Cistercian order and was one of the largest and most significant in France. Contributed to the popularity of the abbey and its location on the Way of St. James. In addition, the monks of the abbey created the famous Chablis wine. Today the monastery is located 15 kilometers from Auxerre in Burgundy.

Pontigny was founded in 1114, a year later than the first monastery of the order. In the XIII century, the construction of the monastery was completed, although it was constantly updated. The abbey developed rapidly and became the place where many famous church leaders served, for example, three archbishops of Canterbury.

However, already in the XV century, the abbey began to lose its significance and gradually began to decline. During the French Revolution, the monastery was finally closed and sold to private hands. Now there are only a few buildings left from the monastery, as well as the monastery church, in my opinion, the main building of any monastery. The church is active, but, despite its size, already at the beginning of the 19th century it became an ordinary parish church of a tiny town around the monastery.

I see that you can only get here by car, opposite the monastery there is a large free parking lot, where there are even free toilets.

Glory to the French, entrance to the park and the abbey church is also free. Access is open every day from 9 to 19 hours in the warm season (from May to October) and from 10 to 17 hours in the cold season. However, the church itself opens an hour later and closes an hour earlier, and from one to two at the gatekeeper's lunch. At this time, you can walk around a small park near the monastery, there is also a small wine shop where the famous Chablis wine is sold.

The church itself is most valuable for its appearance; inside, apart from the walls, little has been preserved, although it has been put in order. Here is the grave of the Queen of France, the wife of Louis VII - Adele Champagne.

To the left of the church there is access to the park.

Altar.

To the right of the church adjoins the local cemetery.

A very pleasant, quiet place to come to see the classic French abbey, of which there are very few. All visits take from 30 minutes to an hour.

Watch the video: Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey, and St . . UNESCONHK (May 2024).