MONTBARD, FRANCE
The Abbaye Fontenay was founded about 1188 by Saint Bernard, today, it is the only Burgundian monastery to maintain intact. For a period of time in the early 19th century it was actually used as a paper mill but it has since been restored. What results is a very intact monastic centre with a caretaker's lodge, guesthouse, chapel, dormitory, hospital, prison, bakery, kennels, abbot's house and a church with cloisters.
The abbey is located at the end of a valley with a pleasant stream. It is surrounded with trees and very scenic.
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In 1991 the Abbaye was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.