Visit the great Cistercian Abbey of St. Bernard and the famous prison that fascinated Victor Hugo !
Clairvaux Abbey
Clairvaux. In the heart of the old Gaulish forest that covers the hills and valleys of the first slopes of the Plateau of Langres like a monk’s cowl. Within the borders of Champagne and Burgundy. A land of silence. It was here that Saint Bernard cleared the site of the Val d’Absinthe quarry nine centuries ago, on 25 June 1115, and built the famous abbey where he lived until his death on 20 August 1153.
Today, rows of seemingly endless walls prevent anyone catching even a glimpse of the ruins of the abbey’s former glory. Clairvaux is one of the most heavily guarded high-security prisons in France.
The French Ministry of Culture now owns the land housing the main historical buildings. This means that the visitors fortunate enough to enter Clairvaux can discover the architectural treasures hidden within this town. These include the splendid lay brothers’ building (12th Century) and the large classical cloister of the 18th Century, not to mention the famous and moving “chicken coops” of the old prison.
Contact us :
Association Renaissance de l’Abbaye de Clairvaux
Hostellerie des Dames
10310 Ville-sous- la-Ferté
Mail : abbaye.clairvaux@orange.fr
Website : abbayedeclairvaux.com
phone : 03 25 27 52 55
Fax : 03 25 27 88 17
Discover the region surrounding Clairvaux Abbey
Contact details
>>> www.tourisme-cotedesbar.com
>>> contact@tourisme-cotedesbar.com
Information offices
- Bar-sur-Seine : 03 25 29 94 43
- Bar-sur-Aube : 03 25 27 24 25
- Bayel : 03 25 92 42 68
- Les Riceys : 03 25 29 15 38
- Essoyes : 03 25 29 21 27
- Mussy-sur-Seine : 03 25 38 42 08