Pontigny Abbey

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Yonne

7.6

Virtual visit

Add to favouritesRemove from favourites

Add to itineraryRemove from itinerary

Located in the heart of Burgundy, about fifteen kilometres from Chablis, Pontigny Abbey is the largest intact Cistercian monument in France, with a length of 108 metres and an area of 4,000 m². Simplicity, sobriety and elegance are the watchwords of this imposing place.

Built in the 12th century, this unique abbey church combines Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Faithful to the Cistercian style, it is devoid of any superfluous depictions and is content to sublimate and magnify the light. This light enters through uncoloured stained glass windows to illuminate the white limestone pillars, amplifying the feeling of luminosity and space. Admire the purity of the lines and the harmony of the proportions, feel the minimalist atmosphere, savour the monastic silence: a visit to Pontigny Abbey is an experience not to be missed...

Near the abbey, the idyllic setting of the Serein Valley allows you to prolong this moment of peace with a gentle stroll in calm and serenity.

Additional information
Pontigny Abbey

Pontigny, 900 years of History...

The abbey church of Pontigny is the largest Cistercian church in France. The whiteness of the stones, the purity of the lines, the harmony of the volumes seldom reached such perfection.
Second daughter of Cîteaux, it was founded in 1114, on a bank of the Serein, on the borders of Burgundy and Champagne. The church was erected between 1138 and 1150 at the turning point between Romanesque and Gothic art. His choir was retaken between 1180 and 1210 in pure Gothic style.

In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, Pontigny welcomed two English archbishops in exile: Thomas Becket and Etienne Langton. But it is the body of one of their successors: Edmond d'Abingdon canonized in 1246 under the name of St Edme which rests in the sanctuary.

Entertainment:

Concert at Pentecost.
Festival of Sacred Arts at the end of July.
Nocturnal candle-lit discoveries with Gregorian chants.
Conferences and exhibitions.

For further information:

Email: accueil@abbayedepontigny.com
Tél. : +33 3 86 47 44 59.

Timetable:

Winter: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
In the summer: from 10am to 7pm.

Access:

Lat. / Long: 47.90966 / 3.71362
North access, exit n ° 19 (Auxerre) south access, exit n ° 20 (Chablis) Nationale 77.
18 km from Auxerre and 58 km from Troyes.
Free parking at 150 m along the N77.

Services :

Point information accueil (in the bookshop) on the abbey of Pontigny and its region.
Bookshop: books, postcards, products from monastic productions, CDs.
Guided tours.
Access to the domain (former monastic enclosure).
Public toilets on the parking of the hall.
Disabled access in the abbey and part of the estate.