Port-Royal Abbey, Cistercian abbey in 14th arrondissement, France
Port-Royal Abbey is a Cistercian monastery in the 14th arrondissement featuring Baroque architecture with a linear layout. A chapel was designed by architect Antoine Lepautre between 1646 and 1647, and the cloister remains integrated into Hôpital Cochin.
The monastery was established in 1626 when nuns relocated from Port-Royal-des-Champs to Paris for health reasons. During the French Revolution, it was converted into a prison where prominent individuals were held.
The abbey became known as a place where alternative forms of thought flourished, attracting people who questioned conventional religious teachings. This role shaped how educated Parisians viewed learning and faith during the 1600s and 1700s.
The site is now part of an active hospital, so visitor access is limited and restricted. It is best to check in advance whether visits are permitted and what conditions apply.
The monastery became a stronghold of Jansenism, a religious movement that challenged Rome and faced intense persecution. This conflict made the site a symbol of intellectual resistance during a turbulent period.
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