Take a tour of Fontenay Abbey in France – part of the World’s Greatest Attractions series by GeoBeats. The quiet little Abbey of Fontenay is one of the French countryside's hidden gems. It was founded in 12th century by St. Bernard of Clairvaux and was home to Cistercian monks. The soft, cream-colored stone of the abbey makes it a delightful place to explore. Especially noteworthy are the cloisters with their pillared columns and simple, pristine lawns. On a warm and sunny day, the stone of the abbey glows with a practically divine light. Following the French Revolution, the Fontenay Abbey was turned into a paper mill until 1902. Though it is no longer in service, visitors can visit and see how the monks lived.
