Morimond Abbey was the fourth of the four great daughter abbeys of Cîteaux Abbey, of primary importance in the spread of the Cistercian Order. Morimond was founded in 1115 by Count Odelric of Aigremont and his wife Adeline of Choiseul and settled from Citeaux. The first abbot was Arnold the German. Thanks to his energy and influence, Morimond grew very rapidly, and established numerous colonies in France, Germany, Poland, Bohemia, Spain, and Cyprus.

Over the next two centuries Morimond continued to be active in the foundation of new Cistercian houses, so much so that towards the end of the 18th century, Morimond counted amongst its filiations nearly seven hundred monasteries and nunneries.

The cruciform abbey church with three aisles and closed choir, the sides of which are occupied by chapels linked by a gangway, was built to be restrained and severe, according to the Cistercian building prescriptions, without towers or artistic adornment. In 1572, during the Wars of Religion, and again in 1636 in the Thirty Years' War, Morimond was destroyed; it was abandoned in 1791 in the French Revolution. Only the church survived, but fell into ruin during the 19th century.

Today, of the medieval structures, only a fragment of the north aisle is still standing, although there remain from the 18th century the gateway, the library and some pavilions and arcades.

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Details

Founded: 1115
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

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4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Emmanuel Braga (2 months ago)
Nice lake for walking or fishing
Pierre De Crits (2 months ago)
The abbey is just a ruin The area is green and the walk around Lake Morimond is very beautiful, you have to pay 3 euros per person, drink included. The lake is apparently private property.
Neil Woolliams (4 months ago)
Shame the excellent restaurant is now only beverages NO food.The place is lovely take bread and feed the huge carp
Fabienne Dewailly (5 months ago)
A bucolic place where you can stroll, have a drink, also fish... A large body of water built by the Cistercian monks at the time... You can see the remains of the abbey at the entrance to the place. It can be visited on certain days. Entrance to the lake and the abbey are FREE. The on-site café and restaurant no longer does catering but serves ice creams and pastries in the summer. The bosses are very nice! Beware of motorhome drivers: do not go down the dead end road, you cannot turn around.
Chante Mostert (17 months ago)
Very pretty, a nice lake where you can swim.
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