L’ABBAYE ROYALE DE FONTEVRAUD
The Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, one of the largest monastic complexes in Europe, offers a unique immersion in history and art. Close to Saumur, it is easy to visit during a stay in the region. To combine culture and nature, our campsite in Saumur is an excellent option: comfort, authenticity and a natural setting on the banks of the Loire.
L’Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud
In the heart of the Loire Valley, between Saumur and Chinon, the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud is one of the largest monastic cities in Europe. Founded in 1101, it has spanned the centuries, welcoming kings, queens and prisoners, to become today a major cultural and heritage site.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to discover its architectural treasures, its modern art exhibitions and its history. Whether you are passionate about history and art or simply looking for a peaceful getaway, the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud guarantees a unique experience, blending heritage and modernity.
A thousand-year history: from nuns to prisoners
For more than nine centuries, the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud has continually reinvented itself. From its bold founding to its transformation into a prison, then a cultural centre, every era has left its mark on this exceptional place.
The origins: an abbey founded by Robert d’Arbrissel
In 1101, Robert d’Arbrissel, an itinerant preacher, founded Fontevraud Abbey. He established a mixed community where men and women lived under the authority of an abbess, a revolutionary structure for the time. This organisation lasted for nearly seven centuries, led by 36 abbesses, some of them from the nobility.
The Plantagenet necropolis: a royal sanctuary
Fontevraud Abbey became the necropolis of the Plantagenet dynasty. Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard the Lionheart and their daughter Joan are buried there.
From the Revolution to Napoleon: an abbey turned into a prison
The French Revolution marked a turning point for the abbey. In 1792 the nuns were expelled, and in 1804 Napoleon turned the abbey into a prison. For more than 150 years, until 1963, it housed up to 2,000 inmates, becoming one of the largest prisons in France.
Cultural renaissance: from prison to cultural centre
After the prison closed in 1963, the abbey began a new life. Listed as UNESCO World Heritage, it became a cultural meeting centre in 1975. Today it houses a Museum of Modern Art, a 4-star hotel and offers a rich cultural programme throughout the year.
What to see at the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud?
Discovering the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud means plunging into a millennium of history, architecture and spirituality. Just 25 minutes from one of our pitches at the campsite in Saumur, it fits perfectly into a stay combining culture and nature.
Here are the must-see stages of your visit:
The abbey church and the Plantagenet recumbent statues
At the heart of the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud stands the abbey church, a masterpiece of Romanesque art. There you will discover the polychrome recumbent statues of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II Plantagenet and Richard the Lionheart, witnesses to the royal history of the place.
The cloister and the chapter house
The cloister, a symbol of serenity, links the different parts of the abbey. The richly decorated chapter house was where the nuns met to discuss community affairs.
The Romanesque kitchens
Unique of its kind, the Romanesque kitchen building, with its conical chimneys, is a rare example of medieval architecture. Long mysterious as to its function, it has been confirmed as the kitchen of the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud.
The Museum of Modern Art
Housed in the abbey, the Museum of Modern Art presents a collection of more than 800 works, combining paintings, sculptures and objets d’art, creating a dialogue between ancient heritage and contemporary creation.
A rich and immersive cultural programme
The Royal Abbey of Fontevraud is more than a historic monument. It is also a living place, animated by a varied, immersive cultural programme. Throughout the year, the abbey offers temporary exhibitions, art installations, concerts mixing classical music, jazz, folk or slam, as well as film screenings, debates and lectures.
The abbey also hosts artists in residence in various fields, including animation cinema, music and the visual arts, fostering contemporary creation within this history-laden place.
Practical information for visiting the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud
Before immersing yourself in the history and architecture of the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, it is essential to plan your visit. Here is the key information to organise your discovery of this exceptional site.
Horaires d’ouverture
The Royal Abbey of Fontevraud and the Museum of Modern Art are open every day, with hours varying by season:
- 5 April to 11 July: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- 12 July to 24 August: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- 25 August to 2 November: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- 3 November to 19 December: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- 20 December 2025 to 4 January: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Please note: ticket sales and entry are no longer possible one hour before the site closes.
Tarifs
Prices vary according to the time of year and current exhibitions. Here is the main information:
- Royal Abbey: €13 (full price), €7.50 (reduced rate)
- Museum of Modern Art: €8 to €11 depending on the season
- Combined Abbey + Museum ticket: €17 to €19.50
Additional options:
- Guided tour: +€5
- Mediation workshop: +€2
- Digital visitor companion: +€4
Book your stay now at our campsite on the banks of the Loire and enjoy an unforgettable getaway between heritage and nature.
The essentials at a glance
Open every day, with hours varying by season.
The Royal Abbey of Fontevraud is the largest monastic city in Europe, listed as UNESCO World Heritage.
It offers a journey through more than 900 years of history: from nuns to the Plantagenet kings, from a prison to a living cultural centre.
Not to be missed: the abbey church and its recumbent statues, the cloister, the Romanesque kitchens, the Museum of Modern Art and the immersive exhibitions.
Just 25 minutes from our campsite
Prices from €13 (abbey only) and €17 for the combined abbey + museum ticket.
