Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud in Nantes

Simply beautiful, a great place to visit.While staying in the lovely Camping Isle Verde in Montsoreau on the Loire we cycled up to the Abbey Royal at Fontevraud and what a wonderful surprise it was. The Abbey has immense history not only as an abbey but also a prison. The restoration work is superb and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The 13 hectares over which the various buildings are spread, today teeming with life (artists, visitors, conference attendees), illustrate the importance of an Abbey that was directly attached to royalty. The reclining effigies of Eleanor of Aquitaine, of her husband Henry 2nd and of their son Richard the Lionheart, seen in the Abbey Church, are a reminder of this glorious past. To stroll along the cloister, to visit the chapter house or the kitchens of the Royal Abbey, gives an understanding of the daily lives of the nuns who lived here. Not forgetting its later incarnation, in the 19th century, as one of the toughest prisons in France … Well worth the visit.

Worth of visiting, recommend to those who want to learn French Middle age history

We stayed only one night. But with a very good experience. It is a place with long history, but with a modern design and convenience.Maybe a swimming pool can be added to the place?The Hermit Bag and The Hermit Dinner ... must try!!!

Very interesting Art works in the art gallery which is well worth a visit. Abbey ruins also very interesting and historic

Such an immense scale of wide ranging history can be seen here...from royal burial to prison

Main reason for visiting was to see the effigies of Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard I (and Isabella of France). Enjoyed the large screens which had information in English as well. Information about the nuns who lived there and their daily lives. And about the Abbey as a prison. There was more there than I expected.The terrace cafe had about 4 choices if baguette. No vegan options and the vegetarian baguette option had sold out. Typical. A couple of salads available. I had the goats cheese one which was OK. Cookies, pretzels and muffins also on offer.The museum with the modern artwork was OK for a wander around.

Fascinating place. Its free to enter. Quite busy in September. Surprised to find the grave of Henry II of England!Well worth a visit. An easy 20 minute cycle from Montseraeu.

Very beautiful and relaxing area.The staff is extremely helpful and friendly.Very good and friendly sommelier.

Unmissable, all day needed. Modern Art exhibition is well worth it too.

Beautiful abbaye, the museum is beautiful too.

Just incredible,a must visit experience. Allow a full day!

Beautiful location. During the summer of ‘22, there is also an nocturne every evening.

Beautiful Gothic Abbey with a pretty good Modern art museum also. There was a Monet exhibition when I visited with friends; this was exceptional!! Lovely grounds, Abbey is well maintained and preserved. Some interpretation is in English, but this is inconsistent throughout. The history about the abbey being a prison etc was interesting too! Cafe in the grounds is good value, and there is good ice cream shop just outside the gates. Recommend a visit if you’re in the area.

Really interesting but not at all what I expected. Beyond the four sarcofogi for Henry II, his wife, Richard the Lionheart and Eleanor of Acquitaine, there isnt that much religious content. Instead there is quite of a bit of post revolution history, when the abbey was used as a prison. Architecturally, the highlight is the kitchens. There is an attached art gallery, which I didnt visit.

The night view is really amazing !

An exquisite meal in an exceptional setting, to stay and eat in such a place is a memorable experience. Highly recommended.

Great food and ambiance! Excellent french experience in a magical place.

I accidentally stumbled into this fantastic site. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of British and French history entombed within its walls.

Incredible historic site alongside a hotel and a Michelin starred restaurant situated in one of the smaller priories. If youre a hotel guest, youre able to amble along the property and visit the historic sites.

Lovely place to visit we had a very informative guide that really enjoyed her job.

Enjoyable visit. Interesting history

Loved my visit, very beautiful and interesting. Will visit again sometime in the future.

Excellent, well-preserved historical abbey containing tombs of 2 English kings, exhibition of its use as prison from Napoleon to 1963 and museum of donated art collection.

Beautiful place with a real sense of history.

Wonderful place with a soothing atmosphere, felt very relaxed. Its been renovated to a good standard like it was in the past, did not know it was a former prison as well from Abbey to prison for over a hundred years back to a great place to visit

Very historical.

The place were Richard Cœur de lion lies together with his mother and father (Henry ii). Enough said.

Went with my mom and decided to purchases tickets for the abbaye & the art museum: 15 euros each. We spend an amazing afternoon!! We were there for about 4.5 hours. The museum is very well appointed. The abbye and its grounds are beautiful!!! The history is very well explained. All is well kept and maintained. The prison part was very interesting.Absolutely recommend!!

Lovely village to stroll

What an interesting place. Spent three hours wandering around looking at the exhibits and discovering the diversity of its history.

Very beautiful and peaceful - worth a visit for the abbey, hotel and restaurant

Stunning, been before but was there this time to see musé which is superb!

Absolutely stunning architecturePicturesque village

Ive been reading about the Plantagenets for over 50 years. Everyone knows about Elinore, thus has her tomb, though the body is gone in the French revolution. Very nice grounds. Pretty setting. Worth the view. You can skip the art museum attached. Unless of course you came to see it. It has some interesting pieces, I was just focused on the historical.

Went several years ago. No atmosphere now - too corporate . But the new modern art gallery which opened in May this year (2021was amazing - best part of visit .

I found it disappointing. I understand it is difficult to make an abbey that became a prison into something interesting. Apart from the 4 tombs of the Plantagenets there was nothing. I am only speaking for myself but I thought I would see the tombs in a church setting. The gardens were pleasant.

A must-visit on a Plantagenet tour of France, the abbey containing the tombs of two English Kings and one Queen. Unfortunately this older historical importance is overshadowed by a focus on the Napoleonic era prison and with most of the place being turned into a gallery for contemporary art.During our visit part of the main abbey was closed off for a concert and it took us 15 minutes of grumbling around before we went through what looked like a "no entry, concert" sign to find the tombs.

Beautiful building, in a beautiful setting. Would have massively appreciated air conditioning since it was 40°C.

The grounds are absolutely breathtaking! This place is definitely very remote and peaceful, which would have been perfect for nuns centuries ago to get closer to their faith. When I visited, it left a large impression on me. The stone work on the outside of the building was impressive and felt like a building that could easily fit into the Paris landscape. Overall, if you want to experience something that most people outside of France may not know about, Id say visiting the grounds here and seeing what performances are happening here would be a great use of time. Hope that anyone else who comes here has just as good an experience as I did. Not to mention there is also some excellent restaurants close by!

Beautiful historical abbey with a lot of history. With a nice Audioguide telling you tons of information. Unfortunately, the Romanesque kitchen was closed for renovation. Free parking nearby and a well stocked library and gift shop. Nice experience

A last treasure for many people I am lucky to find it

The abbey has an amazing history - founding a religious order and a more sombre recent past as a prison. The layout is well thought out as you pass through areas and the gallery has great exhibitions.

A must for anyone interested in the Plantagenets and especially Eleanor of Aquitaine. Convenient parking and lots of helpful staff to answer questions.

The most, if not one of the most, biggest abbeys in Europe. Near other good places and châteaus in Loira Valley. Recommended.

Worth visiting and not too expensive even if you are a big family! In case you dont take a guided tour you will be able to find out a lot about the place because it has digital displays and boards with descriptions and information. It offers a game for kids, so they can enjoy visit too. Toilets are very clean. Parking is quite big and very close to the abbey.

I last visited Fontevraud-lAbbaye 43 years ago and much has changed for the better. Its much more loved than it was. I still love the effigies.

Amazing place, in tiptop shape. Some recent and current restaurations keep the abbey more beautiful than ever before. There are multiple things to see and do, without any of the installations harming the serenity of the Abbey. Just walking around the gardens is very enjoyable. This is the one place you have to visit around the Loire.

A little interesting but not much in regards to decor or antiquities

Its an incredible place which you should definitely visit if youre in the area. Expect to spend at least 4 hours there if you want to truly understand everything. You can, of course, spend more time there as their are plenty of things to see.Finally, there are a few art installations spread throughout the abbey which, even though they have nothing to do with the abbey, are interesting.

Beautifully restored abbey with lovely buildings (especially the cloisterand garden. Well worth seeing.