Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay
UNESCO World Heritage · 1981

Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay

Cultural

WHS ID

165

Inscribed

1981

Category

Cultural

Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay is a UNESCO World Heritage cultural, inscribed in 1981 (WHS 165).

Criteria & Perimeter

Inscription criteria

(iv)

Category

Cultural

Summary

This stark Burgundian monastery was founded by St Bernard in 1119. With its church, cloister, refectory, sleeping quarters, bakery and ironworks, it is an excellent illustration of the ideal of self-sufficiency as practised by the earliest communities of Cistercian monks.

Monuments in the Zone

Selection of protected monuments

Appellations of the Landscape

Most-reviewed Loire appellations

Appellation Avg score Reviews Color
Sancerre 89.3 554 White
Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 88.6 237 White
Pouilly-Fumé 89.6 153 White
Vouvray 88.4 153 White
Touraine 86.3 85 White
Chinon 88.7 72 Red
Menetou-Salon 87.3 69 White
Crémant de Loire 87.5 54 Sparkling
Val de Loire 85.6 41 White
Saumur 88.4 40 White
Anjou 87.6 36 White
Rosé d'Anjou 84 35 Rosé

Data source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre (data.culture.gouv.fr). Last updated: April 14, 2026.