Bonneval Abbey, Benedictine monastery in Bonneval, France.
Bonneval Abbey is a Benedictine monastery featuring fortified entrance gates and an abbot's residence from the fifteenth century constructed on thirteenth-century stone foundations. The buildings display different construction periods and maintain their religious architectural character through reinforced walls and gated access points.
Founded in 857 by knight Foulques under Charles of Provence, the monastery later received the relics of Saint Florentinus and underwent a rededication that increased its spiritual importance. This shift marked a turning point in how the site gained recognition in the region.
The monastery is linked to Abbot Arnaud de Bonneval, who shaped its importance through his twelfth-century writings about Bernard of Clairvaux and monastic life.
The monastery now operates as a psychiatric hospital, continuing medical use established since 1861, which may restrict visitor access to certain areas. Check beforehand what portions of the compound can be visited and whether guided tours are available.
The grounds underwent surprising transformations, serving first as a thread factory, then as an agricultural refuge for abandoned children, before becoming a hospital. This shifting pattern of uses reveals how the site adapted to meet changing social needs across the centuries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
