Is there any furniture inside the buildings?
No, the buildings contain no furniture. The Cistercians lived in poverty, with little furniture which were destroyed or sold during the French Revolution. This allows today to contemplate better the wonderful architecture of Fontenay with its many details.
However, visitors can see various sculptures and objects in the museum, as well as the reconstruction of a hydraulic hammer in the Forge.
Is there an audio guide?
No, Fontenay is currently not equipped with audio-guides. Visits conducted by an experienced guide (duration 1 hour) are available at fixed times.
Is it possible to visit all the buildings?
Only four buildings are not open to the visit: the Abbot house, the Seguin wing, the pigeon house and the infirmary. These buildings have been converted into housing and offices in the nineteenth and twentieth century, and their interior is modern with no particular interest. They represent less than 10 % of the surface of the Abbey.
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