Abbaye Blanche, 12th-century Cistercian abbey in Mortain-Bocage, France
Abbaye Blanche is a 12th-century abbey situated at the entrance of the Cance river gorge, featuring a church, cellars, chapter house, and three-arcade cloister. The building complex extends along the transept and displays the typical layout of a Cistercian monastery.
The abbey was founded in 1105 by Guillaume, son of Count Robert of Mortain, and received royal status from King Louis XIV in 1648. It was closed during the French Revolution and subsequently repurposed multiple times.
The chapter house displays five ribbed vaults supported by monolithic granite columns, reflecting architectural methods of late 12th-century religious buildings. The granite columns sourced locally remain a defining feature of the interior spaces.
The site now functions as an institute for diplomatic studies and is not generally open to tourists. When planning a visit, check ahead for opening hours and visitor access requirements.
During World War I, the abbey served as a military hospital caring for wounded soldiers between 1916 and 1918. This lesser-known role demonstrates how the site transformed its purpose across centuries.
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