Clairvaux Abbey-Prison

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Step into history and discover this extraordinary place.

Nestled in the heart of the forest, in the “Claire Vallée” that gave it its name, the Clairvaux abbey-prison is brimming with treasures and secrets.

A major abbey of the Cistercian Order, it was founded on June 25, 1115 by the future Saint Bernard, who ensured its renown and rapid expansion.
From 1135 onwards, a major construction project saw the emergence of a vast abbey that welcomed up to 900 monks and lay brothers in its barns.
She went on to found numerous daughter abbeys throughout Europe, ensuring her influence beyond our borders.

In the 18th century, the monks, who still owned a great deal of land, decided to rebuild their abbey in a classical style to be more in tune with the times.
Most of the buildings on the site today date from this period.
The community didn’t enjoy the benefits for long, however, as the French Revolution broke out and the monks were forced to leave in 1791. They never returned to their abbey.

After a few years of industrial activity on the site (paper mill, glassworks), Napoleon’s government bought back the 32 hectares enclosed by walls to turn it into a beggar’s warehouse and then a vast prison, which housed up to 3,500 inmates in the 19th century.
Children, women and men were divided into different quarters before the central prison became an all-male facility.
Men were held in the historic buildings until 1971, when they were transferred to the contemporary prison built inside the walls.
This remained one of the most secure prisons in France until its closure in 2023.

For many years now, the Association Renaissance de l’Abbaye de Clairvaux has been bringing the site back to life, introducing you to this dual history of confinement through themed guided tours.
The site is only accessible on guided tours.

With their passionate guides, discover the magnificent 12th-century Bâtiment des convers, the 18th-century Réfectoire des moines transformed into a chapel for inmates in the 19th century, and the moving disciplinary quarters of the former prison…

You can also make the most of this exceptional setting by taking part in the many events organised throughout the year: concerts, exhibitions, cluedo, treasure hunts…
There’s something for all ages and tastes!

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