Abbaye de Theuley, 12th-century Cistercian abbey in Vars, France.
Abbaye de Theuley is a 12th-century monastic complex featuring two entrance pavilions, monumental gates, and original structures with medieval capitals supporting vaulted rooms. The grounds blend the original construction with 18th-century redesigns undertaken by architect Nicolas Cailler.
The abbey was founded in 1130 by twelve monks sent from Morimond Abbey to establish a new Cistercian settlement. In the 18th century, architect Nicolas Cailler directed major reconstruction that shaped the site as it stands today.
The structures blend Romanesque Cistercian design with additions from later centuries, showing how the community adapted the buildings to changing needs. Decorative capitals and vaulted spaces reveal the craftsmanship of monks who lived and worked here.
The abbey sits at Place de la Corvée du Coq in Vars and remains private property, so interior access is not possible for visitors. However, the exterior structures and grounds can be observed from the perimeter of the site.
Timber samples from the abbey's structures have been scientifically dated to the mid-17th and early 18th centuries, revealing when different parts were rebuilt. These findings show that the reconstruction happened in several phases rather than as a single undertaking.
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