Abbaye de Morimond

Parnoy-en-Bassigny

Founded in 1115, Morimond was the fourth of the primary abbeys descended from Cîteaux, after La Ferté, Pontigny and Clairvaux. It became remarkably prolific, founding some thirty direct daughter abbeys and more than 200 monasteries in total across Europe, especially in Central and Eastern Europe. Its famous monks include Otto of Freising and the future Pope Benedict XII; the abbey also influenced the founding of Spanish and Portuguese military orders such as Calatrava (1187) and Alcántara (1214). Now in ruins, it retains 12th-century remains and the 15th-century Sainte-Ursule chapel.

Getting there : Remains listed on the Inventory of Historic Monuments since 1925; restoration led since 1990 by an association; approximate coordinates

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound