Fontevraud Royal Abbey – History with a Purpose

Last Updated on February 12, 2024 by Travelationship

Unlike any historic site we have visited, the Fontevraud Royal Abbey has created a working hybrid of the past, present, and future. At the same time, it is not new to see technology mingled amongst museums and historical places. The team at Fontevraud has engrained their “All Things Having a Purpose” philosophy by blending the use of educational electronics in a way that does not deter your visit. Instead, they have found exciting and engaging ways to enhance your overall experience.

Fontevraud Royal Abbey

Founded in 1101, the Fontevraud Royal Abbey is no stranger to being on the cutting edge. With Robert of Arbrissel as the Abbeys patriarch, he conceived a place unlike any other. He founded a community where the monks and the nuns followed the same rule, and to take it one step further, Robert put a woman in charge. His ideas were eons ahead of time and separated him from the mainstream. With the Plantagenets as benefactors of the Abbey, its prominence only grew.

King Henry II’s widow, Eleanor of Aquitaine, even made the Abbey her place of residence. You can find the resting place of the King of England, Henry II, his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and his son, King Richard the Lionheart, in Fontevraud. War and revolution dealt the Abbey a lousy hand; to top it off, in 1804, it became one of the toughest prisons in France. The Abbey has endured a long journey, but it has come full circle and again claimed the ambiance of forward thinking and beauty.

Fontevraud Royal Abbey – Purpose

One thing that I cannot stop thinking about is how Fontevraud exudes serenity. Every room we entered or hallway we walked provided a sense of calm, particularly when we visited their hotel. Self-reliance is another highlight of the Abbey. They grow their organic produce for their restaurants and create power in their self-sustaining energy station.

They could restore the complex and decorate it with inaccurate furnishings to present a standard packaged experience. Instead, they choose to produce a carefully crafted functional space, one step at a time, to keep aligned with their “All Things Have a Purpose” mantra.

While not a new concept, I appreciate how they reinvest in themselves and look to interest visitors with multiple types of attractions. You can drop by for one of their many art exhibits, see one of their shows, or spend the day enjoying a splendid festival, all from a nine-hundred-year-old venue.

Whether at the end of your visit, beginning, or somewhere in between, a stop at the iBar is a must-do. With interactive tables, you can learn more about the Abbey, play games, and get a visual history of the complex, not to mention pick up a tasty treat or a refreshing beverage.

A very special thanks to Olivier Châble and Fontevraud Royal Abbey for hosting our visit and personally showing us around the campus. We walked away with such inspiration and a genuine belief this location is a prime example of how to provide innovative ways to preserve and present history.

Travelasics

The Royal Abbey of Our Lady of Fontevraud is located in Fontevraud-l’Abbaye, France. Visit their website for hours, prices, and upcoming events.

Travelationship Rating:

4 out of 5 Travelationship High Fives. Who wouldn’t enjoy a day spent at Fontevraud? Also, keep your eye on upcoming art shows at the Abbey. This is a worthwhile place for any traveler interested in adventure, art, relaxation, romance, history, and bucket list activities.

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