Notre-Dame d'Aunay Abbey, Cistercian abbey in Les Monts d'Aunay, France.
Notre-Dame d'Aunay Abbey is a Cistercian monastery in the Monts d'Aunay region of Normandy, with limestone walls and decorated stone capitals remaining from its medieval layout on the northern slope of Mont des Lenques. The eastern wing was reconstructed in 1723 with a classical facade combining limestone and sandstone in alternating bands.
Jordan and Lucy of Say founded this monastery in 1131, and it joined the Cistercian order through Savigny Abbey in 1147. The community shaped religious life in this region for several centuries afterward.
The abbey takes its name from the Virgin Mary, a dedication reflected in the surviving carved capitals and stone details throughout the ruins. Visitors can observe these religious symbols in the remaining architectural fragments scattered across the site.
The site allows visitors to see remains from both the medieval period and the later 18th-century reconstruction, making it interesting to compare different building styles in one location. Taking time to explore both the older and newer sections helps you understand how the abbey evolved over time.
After the French Revolution, the site was converted into a textile mill and cheese factory, operating in this unusual dual purpose until 1976. The industrial machinery and layout left their own marks on the buildings alongside the medieval remains.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
