Abbaye Royale De Fontevraud
Abbaye Royale De Fontevraud
Abbaye Royale De Fontevraud
4.3
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural BuildingsReligious Sites
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Founded in 1101 on the border of the provinces of Poitou, Anjou and Touraine, the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud is the largest monastic city inherited from the Middle Ages. It owes its power in part to the Plantagenets and to its close ties with Eleanor of Aquitaine. The effigy of the queen of France and then of England remains at the heart of the Abbey church alongside those of Henry II and Richard the Lionheart. The Abbey is a « very particular foundation » run by an abbess, although it houses both men and women. Cherished by kings, it was home to distinguished nuns and nobility for seven centuries before the Revolution drove out all the monks and nuns. Napoleon transformed the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud into one of the toughest prisons in France, while it remained a prison until 1963. Initiated by the Pays de la Loire Region, the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud is today a radiant and creative Centre Culturel de Rencontre. Free for minors and students under 25 all year round.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.3
2,273 reviews
Excellent
1,243
Very good
652
Average
237
Poor
101
Terrible
40
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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tastes traveler
159 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
Beautiful abbey. Favorite for the kitchens and the chapter. The guided tour (+4.5 / person) is highly recommended because the places are poor in explanations.
Our guide (the one on Monday, November 11 at 11am) was very pleasant and passionate. Be careful not to make too much fun of consecrated people and their way of life...
Unfortunately, the places are home to "artistic" exhibitions that distort the places and are not very interesting... Here is a perspective between the beauty of the Middle Ages and contemporary degenerations...
The cafeteria was open on Monday, November 11. Too bad there are only two microwaves, but the food is good.
Our guide (the one on Monday, November 11 at 11am) was very pleasant and passionate. Be careful not to make too much fun of consecrated people and their way of life...
Unfortunately, the places are home to "artistic" exhibitions that distort the places and are not very interesting... Here is a perspective between the beauty of the Middle Ages and contemporary degenerations...
The cafeteria was open on Monday, November 11. Too bad there are only two microwaves, but the food is good.
Automatically translated
Written 11 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christine R
1 contribution
Oct 2024 • Solo
For a very long time, I wanted to come to the Royal Abbey to see the recumbents. A little disappointed because here there are only 4 recumbents. Nothing like the Abbey of Saint-Denis. The Plantagenet family had few representatives, unlike the royal families present in Saint-Denis. Tufted buildings, with beautiful lines. As for the dimensions of the Abbey, I think they are more modest than those of Cluny, who was indeed "mutilated".
The "memory" part of the prison time, is modest but very present. Having been surprised to learn that two members of my family came here at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, I was confirmed in my desire to visit the place. An exhibition is dedicated to the prison past.
On the other hand, a memorial part of World War II is missing, apart from the plaque affixed near the exit. At a minimum, a list of the resistance fighters who passed through would be welcome to recall their memory. Two years ago, an exhibition was presented (which I could not see), with the superb sketches and washes of an internee. It would be interesting to be able to obtain the booklets of past exhibitions and presented in the Abbey.
Award of admission is €13+ €4.50 if you want to follow a guided tour. The welcome was correct the day of my visit. Lockers are present at the entrance to deposit his luggage. The toilet is very clean.
I suspected I wouldn't be able to visit with my dog and I left her in the car. It goes in cool, rainy autumn weather, but it’s less obvious in a heatwave! I agree with a visitor’s thought: a dog (on a leash or carried in his arm) is often calmer than children left to their own devices! I'm not saying I want to go back to the young kids kept on a leash as I saw in my youth:)
The "memory" part of the prison time, is modest but very present. Having been surprised to learn that two members of my family came here at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, I was confirmed in my desire to visit the place. An exhibition is dedicated to the prison past.
On the other hand, a memorial part of World War II is missing, apart from the plaque affixed near the exit. At a minimum, a list of the resistance fighters who passed through would be welcome to recall their memory. Two years ago, an exhibition was presented (which I could not see), with the superb sketches and washes of an internee. It would be interesting to be able to obtain the booklets of past exhibitions and presented in the Abbey.
Award of admission is €13+ €4.50 if you want to follow a guided tour. The welcome was correct the day of my visit. Lockers are present at the entrance to deposit his luggage. The toilet is very clean.
I suspected I wouldn't be able to visit with my dog and I left her in the car. It goes in cool, rainy autumn weather, but it’s less obvious in a heatwave! I agree with a visitor’s thought: a dog (on a leash or carried in his arm) is often calmer than children left to their own devices! I'm not saying I want to go back to the young kids kept on a leash as I saw in my youth:)
Automatically translated
Written 20 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mattyandco
18 contributions
Mar 2025 • Couples
We visited mainly to see resting place of eleanor of aquitaine, thinking we might be there an hour or so - we spent 4 hours wandering around - the abbey church is so magnificent and peaceful, but there is so much more to see - the cloisters, archaeological remnants of original church, the kitchens, refectory, dormitory etc. There are displays about the abbey history, including uts use as a prison, and also about its renovation. All in all a great place
Written 13 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wellan
17 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
We spent a weekend in Fontevraud and its surroundings. The abbey is a must! Very large, decorated, many panels to describe the rooms and the history, and hosting exhibitions, the abbey is really highlighted and it is a real pleasure to visit it!
Automatically translated
Written 13 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sambuc
Seine-et-Marne, France233 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
My last visit was over 20 years ago. Much progress has been made in restoring and enhancing this extraordinary site, although it remains difficult to imagine what the monastic period might have been. In the cloister, interesting and educational panels on the great abbesses. The reference to the prison period is interesting. The museum of contemporary art has the merit of existing but it has not captured my attention much.
Automatically translated
Written 31 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bilimore
Boulogne-Billancourt, France93 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
I’ve been to this place at least 5 or 6 times, and I still discover hidden treasures! Exceptional place, both by architecture and by the history of the places, majestic but also charged with drama. Many short and very well directed explanatory videos (...I saw that some people thought there were no explanations, but these videos summarize all the topics instead). The sites are beautifully decorated and well restored, keeping the spirit of spirituality but also in tribute to the prisoners when the abbey was a prison (or even a prison).
Allow several hours to enjoy the best.
Do not miss the magnificent Christmas Table in the refectory. A marvel!!
Allow several hours to enjoy the best.
Do not miss the magnificent Christmas Table in the refectory. A marvel!!
Automatically translated
Written 17 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alfred H
Bougival, France49 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
If you want something else than visiting yet another Chateau, you should try this Abbey. It's a very vast set of buildings and gardens and, surprisingly, a museum of modern art next to it (combined tickets are possible). The museum is quite recent and contains the donation of two art collectors, leaving objects of remarkable quality. Everyone slightly interested in art should see this.
Written 25 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your comment. We are delighted to read that you enjoyed your visit of the abbey and the modern art museum.
Have a good day.
Written 1 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
J0ceJ
Le Mans City, France107 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
Beautiful place that this abbey is impressive to visit. There is plenty of space to visit with full and clear explanations, really, I recommend
The negatives: The exteriors need to be better maintained, and above all I am very disappointed by the prohibitive prices of the cafeteria on site. This is the only downside for this place.
The negatives: The exteriors need to be better maintained, and above all I am very disappointed by the prohibitive prices of the cafeteria on site. This is the only downside for this place.
Automatically translated
Written 20 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Madame, Monsieur,
Merci pour votre retour. Nous sommes ravis de lire que vous avez apprécié votre visite à l'abbaye ainsi que les explications données. Nous vous remercions pour votre recommandation.
Nous notons vos remarques sur l'entretien des extérieurs et les tarifs de la Terrasse Gourmande.
Au plaisir de vous accueillir à nouveau.
Written 21 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sylvief13
Marseille, France164 contributions
July 2024 • Couples
Nice place to visit. Clear information and the part about the Prison period is very interesting.
For photos it is not the top. A car parked in front of part of the abbey
, in the cloister of the sorts of scaffolding in the garden and for a photo of the abbey there are enclosures for music. Too bad.
For photos it is not the top. A car parked in front of part of the abbey
, in the cloister of the sorts of scaffolding in the garden and for a photo of the abbey there are enclosures for music. Too bad.
Automatically translated
Written 25 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Merci pour votre retour. Nous sommes navrés que vous n'ayez pas pu prendre les photos que vous souhaitiez en raison des différentes installations.
Nous espérons que vous avez tout de même apprécié la visite de l'abbaye.
Belle journée et à bientôt.
Written 26 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bernard GOMBAULT
La Garenne-Colombes, France1,063 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Do not hesitate to leave the motorway to visit the "Abbey of Fontevraud . First because you will pass through a magnificent region with the banks of the Loire and its many castles, second because this royal abbey is together exceptional architectural and very well preserved. But that's not all! Indeed, it is a historic high place where the history of France and that of the United Kingdom are intertwined through Eleanor of Aquitaine who was both Queen of France and Queen of England under the Plantagenet. It also contains the deposits of Eleanor and Richard the Lionheart because the Abbey served as a necropolis for this dynasty. You will discover a beautiful abbey church largely inspired by the Byzantine style in progress after the First Crusades, a beautiful cloister and a building dedicated to kitchens that is worth a visit and that recalls the one that can be seen in Heidelberg Castle in Germany especially for the monumentality of its fireplace.
Automatically translated
Written 13 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Avec les mesures Covid et la fermeture de certaines salles, quelle est la durée moyenne de visite ? Merci !
Written 23 August 2020
Bonjour,
comptez une heure pour la visite du site qui est vaste malgré la fermeture des cuisines.
Written 24 August 2020
yanlixiexie
Booterstown, Ireland
Hi I would like to know weather the Abbey open on the Easter Monday 13th April 2020 (also a Bank holiday Monday). Thanks.
Written 25 September 2019
Good evening,
The Abbey will be open on the Easter week-end. Furthermore, we have a Classical music festival.
The abbey is open 7 days a week, except on January (all month) and on December 25th.
Kind regards.
Written 30 September 2019
Buenos días.
He comprado mi entrada online para el 16 de octubre. Allí se señala como hora de visita a las 9 : 30 hs. Debo ir a esa hora de la mañana específicamente o puedo ir por la tarde como tenía programado ?
Muchas gracias por su respuesta
Written 2 September 2019
Buenos dias Carlos,
Usted puede venir cuando quiera entre las 9.30 y las 18.
El monumento no cierre al mediodía.
Dentro del recorrido de visita, hay puntos de restauración y usted puede también llegar con su picnic (hay que tenerlo al momento de la entrada).
Atentamente.
Written 6 September 2019
Que peut on visiter dans l abbaye? Quelles sont les principales curiosite . Y a t il un guide
Merci
Written 28 October 2018
Bonjour,
L'Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud est un vaste monument de 14 hectares qui est également un centre culturel.
Au delà de la visite libre ou guidée du site, de nombreuses expositions et installations d'art sont accessibles sans supplément.
Jusqu'au 4 novembre, l'exposition "ÊTRE FEMME AU XVIIe SIÈCLE est à découvrir. Du 1er au 31 décembre, les 8 installations et expositions de NOËL À FONTEVRAUD enchanteront le site.
Si vous séjournez dans l'hôtel de l'abbaye, vous aurez la possibilité de visiter le site jour et nuit.
Written 31 October 2018
Wat kost het om de abdij te bezoeken? Ik lees ook dat er ipad’s ter beschikking zijn om een ludieke wandeling door de abdij te doen met kinderen, maar is deze dan ook in het nederlands? Mijn dochter is 8 jaar en spreekt nog geen frans...
Written 6 June 2018
What is the nearest city to fly into from Dulles International Airport near Washington D.C.
Written 2 June 2017
Paris. We picked a car at Charles De Gaulle (Hertz) and drove to Amboise where we stayed for four days as we toured the Loire Valley by car. Left the car in Tours and caught the train back to Paris. Did not have any real problems driving but would not want to try it without some type of GPS to help navigate.
Written 3 June 2017
Is there a day tour to the Abbey from Bordeaux please. I'm going to be there next mid September. Thanks. Cheryl
Written 30 October 2016
there are many guided tours daily
I am not sure if there a tour from Bordeaux, probably not as this is far from bordeaux
all the best and enjoy your stay
Written 31 October 2016
We are traveling by car to stay at the hotel with our children. What is advisable and recommended for families and parking our car?
Many thanks, and very much looking forward to our stay!!!
Written 30 May 2016
Good morning,
The Fontevraud Hotel has its own private parking for its guests.
GPS : 38 rue Saint-Jean de l'Habit 49590 Fontevraud
After buzzing the gate, just ask some help to the receptionists for your luggage transportation. There an electric car shuttle.
Have a nice stay with us.
Olivier
PR Officer
Written 31 May 2016
We are traveling without the use of a car. Is there any way we can get to the Abby from Tours or Chinon?
Written 16 March 2016
Good evening,
Thanks for your interest for the Royal Abbey.
I recommand you to take a train to Saumur. From the station, the Abbey is at 17 km. A taxi course will cost you around 30€.
There is also a bus line, but there are few buses every day and no service on Sunday. More info on agglobus website / line 1.
The Loire a Vélo bicycle path is connecting Saumur and Fontevraud too.
Best wishes
Olivier
Written 16 March 2016
are there any day tours available from paris or tours
Written 26 January 2015
Olivier C
Fontevraud-l'Abbaye, France
Dear Sir, Madam,
First of all, please accept my apologies for the delay,of my answer. Unfortunately there's no day tours from Paris or Tours. You may organize by yourself a day trip from Tours by train and Taxi, or either sleep in our new hotel located in the heart of the Abbey.
Excellent day.
Written 3 February 2015
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