Fontenelle Abbey (Nord)

Fontenelle Abbey (French: Abbaye de Fontenelle) was a Cistercian nunnery in Maing, Nord, France, extant from 1212 to 1793.

Archaeological park on the site of the abbey

History

The abbey was founded in 1212 to the south of Valenciennes on the banks of the Scheldt and became Cistercian in 1218. It became well known in the 14th century after Joan of Valois, Countess of Hainaut (1294–1352; daughter of Charles of Valois, sister of King Philip VI of France, widow of William I, Count of Hainaut, and mother-in-law of Emperor Louis IV), entered the community in 1337 and later died and was buried here.

After several destructions and reconstructions during the course of the centuries, the nunnery was dissolved in 1793 in the French Revolution and demolished. It was then forgotten until 1977, when during building works on the Scheldt canal remains came to light. These were archaeologically investigated and in part put on display in the museum in Valenciennes. The site itself was made into a park and is accessible to visitors.

See also

Sources
  • Cistercian Sites in Europe. Charte Européenne des Abbayes et Sites Cisterciens 2012, p. 66
  • Bernard Peugniez, 2001: Routier cistercien, Editions Gaud, Moisenay, p. 235 ISBN 2-84080-044-6

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