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
- Maison de Blois — Blois
- Château de la Vrillière — La Chapelle-Basse-Mer
- Hôtel Louvet-Mayaud de Saumur — Saumur
- Immeuble de l'entreprise Leiseing — Bourges
- Eglise paroissiale Saint-Blaise ou Saint-Fiacre — Dimancheville
- Manoir de la Beunêche — Roézé-sur-Sarthe
- Château de Benais — Benais
- Château de Nesmy — Nesmy
- Eglise Saint-Pierre de Pontlevoy — Pontlevoy
- Hôtel Cazeneuve de Pradines — Nantes
- Maison de Chartres — Chartres
- Fontaine Saint-Nicolas — Blois
- Chapelle de Montplacé — Jarzé
- Chambre de Commerce de Orléans — Orléans
- Château de Montigny-sur-Avre — Montigny-sur-Avre
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.