Abbaye Notre-Dame de Barbery

Abbaye Notre-Dame de Barbery is a Cistercian monastery where fragments of walls and several scattered buildings remain today. The site includes a rectangular structure from the 14th century and the original lateral wall of the abbey church.

The monastery was founded on April 13, 1176, by Robert Marmion and shaped monastic life in Normandy. An earthquake in the 18th century damaged the structure significantly, and it was abandoned during the French Revolution.

The name Barbery comes from an early settler or estate and reflects the rural character of the area. The scattered remains show how monks lived and worshiped here, with their traces still visible in the surrounding landscape today.

The site is best explored on foot, as the ruins are spread across open ground. Sturdy footwear and care on uneven terrain are recommended to safely view the various wall fragments.

A monk named Gervais wrote a rhyming bestiary in the 13th century describing 29 different animals. His work shows the scholarly activity that took place alongside spiritual life here.

Location: Barbery

Location: Bretteville-sur-Laize

Inception: April 13, 1176

GPS coordinates: 49.02611,-0.34694

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:26