Fontevraud L'Abbaye Royale, Fontevraud-l'Abbaye

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.

Interesting Abbey by its history - especially the part where it was converted to a prison. Very well maintained, with special expositions, some coffee place outside, wine bar, hotel and upscale restaurant (1* Michelin). English translations were rare. Visit time anywhere from 1,5h to 2h at least. Parking nearby, free of charge.

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.

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

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 isn't 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 didn't visit.