Bonneval Abbey, Cistercian abbey in Le Cayrol, France

Bonneval Abbey is a Cistercian monastery in Le Cayrol, Aveyron, founded in 1147. Its pale rendered stone buildings with grey shingled roofs stand in a valley; the left wing rises into a rounded tower form with a round stone-framed window beneath a small curved dormer, and a tall small-paned window with yellow-brown quoins at the corner. To the right, a lower section has two small upper windows, a niche holding a pale figure above a gated arched entrance, and side windows; a further block has a large multi-paned window.

Founded in 1147 by Cistercian monks from Mazan Abbey at the initiative of Guillaume de Calmont d'Olt, bishop of Cahors, Bonneval became one of the richest abbeys of the Rouergue, with twelve fortified granges by the 13th century. Pillaged during the Hundred Years' War after the Rouergue was ceded to the English in 1360, it was chosen in the 17th century to train novices from all Cistercian abbeys of south-west France. In 1791 the last 13 monks left and the buildings were sold and quarried for stone; Trappistine nuns rebuilt the abbey from 1875.

The name Bonneval means "good valley", a common Cistercian place name. Since 1875 the abbey has been home to Trappistine nuns, who run a chocolate workshop and installed a turbine on the river to generate electricity. In 1902 they founded the abbey of Bon-Conseil in Quebec. The community today numbers 30 nuns aged 29 to 98.

The abbey is accessible for visitors to explore the buildings and grounds, with a shop selling chocolate and regional products. It is best visited during daylight hours when all areas are open.

The chocolate is made by Trappistine nuns, not monks: they arrived in 1875 to rebuild the ruined abbey and opened a chocolate factory, also installing a turbine on the river to produce electricity. In 1902 they founded the community that became Bon-Conseil Abbey in Quebec, Canada.