Abbaye Notre-Dame des Fontenelles, Cistercian abbey in La Roche-sur-Yon, France.
Abbaye Notre-Dame des Fontenelles is a Cistercian monastery founded in the 12th century with chapels, cloisters, and gardens laid out according to monastic principles. The buildings display clean lines and functional designs that reflect the architectural style typical of the religious order.
Cistercian monks founded the monastery in the 12th century and developed farming innovations on the land surrounding the buildings. Over the centuries the community adapted the structures to meet changing needs while maintaining its religious mission.
The site preserves religious manuscripts and liturgical objects that show how monks organized their spiritual life and daily routines within these walls.
Visitors can explore the complex through guided tours that explain the architecture and monastic practices. It helps to check ahead about tour availability and the best way to navigate the extensive grounds.
The garden contains plant species that monks have cultivated for centuries, preserving rare varieties that have disappeared elsewhere. Walking through these gardens reveals how everyday and valuable the monks' approach to cultivation truly was.
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