Eglise abbatiale de Pontigny
Religious Heritage
(12th - 17th centuries)
The abbey church of Pontigny is one of the most beautiful examples of Cistercian churches that can be admired in France. Rarely have the nobility, purity and enthusiasm of Cistercian architecture reached such perfection. The second daughter of Cîteaux, the abbey of Pontigny was founded in 1114, on the banks of the Serein, on the borders of the Bourgogne and Champagne, but the current abbey church was built in two stages between 1137 and 1150. Its style is located exactly at the transition between Romanesque and Gothic. The porch of the façade is vaulted with ribs. The side aisles and the transept transepts are also vaulted, as should have been, it seems, the nave which in fact received the first ribbed vault built in Bourgogne.
At the end of the 12th century, the original flat chevet was destroyed and replaced by the current elegant Gothic choir. Rapidly enjoying great influence, it founded nineteen direct "daughter abbeys", which, in turn, created forty-five others. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Pontigny welcomed three English archbishops in exile: Thomas Becket, Stephen Langton and Edmond of Abingdon and continues to attract many English pilgrims. Park of around ten hectares shared by a millrace comprising an avenue of hornbeams, an avenue of lime trees leading to the abbey church, a lawn planted with three hundred-year-old trees, two monolithic basins and a natural lawn.
The abbey church of Pontigny is one of the most beautiful examples of Cistercian churches that can be admired in France. Rarely have the nobility, purity and enthusiasm of Cistercian architecture reached such perfection. The second daughter of Cîteaux, the abbey of Pontigny was founded in 1114, on the banks of the Serein, on the borders of the Bourgogne and Champagne, but the current abbey church was built in two stages between 1137 and 1150. Its style is located exactly at the transition between Romanesque and Gothic. The porch of the façade is vaulted with ribs. The side aisles and the transept transepts are also vaulted, as should have been, it seems, the nave which in fact received the first ribbed vault built in Bourgogne.
At the end of the 12th century, the original flat chevet was destroyed and replaced by the current elegant Gothic choir. Rapidly enjoying great influence, it founded nineteen direct "daughter abbeys", which, in turn, created forty-five others. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Pontigny welcomed three English archbishops in exile: Thomas Becket, Stephen Langton and Edmond of Abingdon and continues to attract many English pilgrims. Park of around ten hectares shared by a millrace comprising an avenue of hornbeams, an avenue of lime trees leading to the abbey church, a lawn planted with three hundred-year-old trees, two monolithic basins and a natural lawn.
Opening
2026: Guided and immersive tours: see the website. The church may be occasionally closed for various reasons (concerts, ceremonies, etc.). Please check before your visit.
Prices
- Base rate - Full rate adult (guided tour): €15
- Child rate (free tour)
- Special rate (Ages 12-25, disabled persons, students, job seekers, teachers; press card holders, tour guides): €11
Payment method
- Credit card
- Payment cards
- French "Chèques vacances"
- Cash
- Eurocard-Mastercard
- visa
Services
Services
- Shop
Equipment
- Parking
- Restaurant
- Toilet
Labels
- Cistercian Abbeys and Sites in Europe
Visits
Individual visitsDuration of the visit: 60 min. Paid visit. Free visits at all times. Guided tours at all times. Guided tours by appointment. Route suitable for children.
Group visitsDuration of the visit: 90 min. Free visits at all times. Guided tours by appointment.
Nearby activities
- Specific thematic animation
- symposia
- Conferences
- Temporary exhibitions
- Concerts
Further information
- PMR accessibility : Disabled person
- Working Languages : French, English
