Abbaye de Fontenelle

Abbaye de Fontenelle is a Cistercian convent situated along the Scheldt River in Maing. The site features stone buildings organized around a central courtyard where the main religious structures stood.

The abbey was founded in 1212 by Agnes and Jeanne, daughters of the Lord of Aulnoy, and became a Cistercian institution in 1218. This transition connected it to a major religious network that spread across northern Europe.

The abbey served as residence for Joan of Valois in 1337, who maintained her chancellery and conducted diplomatic negotiations during the Hundred Years War.

The site functions as a public park where you can walk around the remains of the former abbey structures. Archaeological artifacts from excavations are displayed at the Valenciennes museum for those wanting more detailed information.

Excavations in the 1970s uncovered medieval floor tiles decorated with geometric patterns that once adorned the abbey church. These tiles reveal the craftsmanship and artistic standards that existed within the community.