Barbeau Abbey, Cistercian monastery in Héricy, France.
Barbeau Abbey is a Cistercian monastery along the Seine with several stone buildings still standing, including an ice cellar from its original construction. The remaining structures show the practical medieval building style used for daily operations and storage.
The abbey was founded in 1147 by King Louis VII and became an important religious center in the region. The king's remains stayed there for over 600 years before being moved to Saint Denis Abbey in 1817.
The monastery served for centuries as a center for agricultural innovation and recorded important dealings between regional noble families through its archives. These records offer insight into how the Church and local lords interacted and supported one another.
Visitors can see the remaining structures of the monastery directly on the site, though only portions of the original buildings have survived. Those interested in deeper research can access digitized documents at the departmental archives of Yonne, which is located nearby.
According to legend, a fish caught in the Seine contained a ring belonging to Saint Loup, which provided the funds needed to build the monastery. This unusual discovery became a cherished story passed down through generations.
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