Abbaye de Cherlieu, Romanesque abbey in Montigny-lès-Cherlieu, France.
Abbaye de Cherlieu is a stone monastery complex featuring a church and associated buildings in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. The remaining structures include the north transept wall and several monastery building facades that convey the scale of the original establishment.
The monastery was founded by Cistercian monks in the 12th century and gradually expanded into one of the region's major religious complexes. Over time, the community shaped the surrounding landscape through agricultural development and building projects that reflected their growing influence.
The name references the nearby Ognon river, which the monastic community managed and drew water from for daily needs. The remaining spaces show how the monks organized their work and spiritual life within these stone structures.
The site is easily accessible with parking spaces available nearby for visitors exploring the ruins at their own pace. The open structures allow you to walk around freely and view the architecture from different angles without restrictions.
After the monastery was dissolved during the French Revolution, its stone structure was partially dismantled and the materials were reused to build houses throughout the region. This explains why the remains appear fragmented today and why many local buildings contain stones salvaged from this site.
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