Clairvaux Abbey
Ville-sous-la-Ferté, France · built 1115
Clairvaux Abbey ([klɛʁvo] l’abbaye de Clairvaux, Clara Vallis) was a Cistercian monastery in Ville-sous-la-Ferté, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Bar-sur-Aube. The abbey was founded in 1115 by Bernard of Clairvaux. As a primary abbey, it was one of the most significant monasteries in the order. Dissolved during the French Revolution, it was used from 1808 to 2023 as Clairvaux Prison, a high-security correctional facility. As of 2024, the site was being converted to a tourist destination. Its layout was significantly altered by construction in the 18th and 19th centuries. Before it was a prison, Clairvaux Abbey served as an archetype for Cistercian monasteries; significant portions of the ancient abbey remain standing.
Monastery data from Wikidata (CC0). Summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).