Fontdouce Abbey

Located in the charming village of Saint-Bris-des-Bois, close to Saintes at Charente-Maritime, Fontdouce Abbey is an architectural and spiritual jewel that invites contemplation and serenity.

Abbaye de Fontdouce - Complete guide to this haven of peace

A dive into Cistercian history

Founded in 1111 by Cistercian monks, this abbey has had a rich and eventful history, punctuated by periods of prosperity and hardship.

Over the nine centuries of its existence, Fontdouce Abbey has played an important role in the economic and religious life of the region. The Cistercian monks, renowned for their agricultural know-how and community involvement, contributed to the development of agriculture and the growth of the village of Saint-Bris-des-Bois.

The abbey was also an important intellectual center, where scholars and philosophers gathered to exchange knowledge and debate the ideas of their time. The abbey's library, rich in precious manuscripts, was one of the most important in France.

A remarkable architectural heritage

Fontdouce Abbey is an exceptional example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The abbey church, with its pointed barrel vaults and finely sculpted capitals, is a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The cloister, with its elegant arcades and peaceful garden, invites you to stroll and meditate.

In addition to the abbey church and cloister, the abbey is home to many other buildings of interest, including the abbot's dwelling, the chapter house, the refectory and the monks' dormitories. These carefully restored buildings bear witness to the daily life of the Cistercian monks and the rigorous organization of their community.

A place for life and culture

Today, Fontdouce Abbey is a place of life and culture open to the public. The abbey offers guided tours of its history, architecture and artistic treasures. Temporary exhibitions, concerts and conferences are also organized throughout the year.

The abbey is also home to a gourmet restaurant offering refined cuisine prepared with fresh, local produce. An adventure park, located in the surrounding woods, offers families and thrill-seekers a moment of relaxation and adrenalin.

Activities for all at Fontdouce Abbey

For families

• Treasure hunt

Younger visitors can discover the abbey's secrets through specially adapted treasure hunts.

• Fun guided tours

Interactive storytelling tours allow children to immerse themselves in the history of the abbey.

• Creative workshops

Sculptures, drawings, children can give free rein to their imagination.

For groups

• Seminars and business events

The abbey's facilities are ideal for seminars, team-building and corporate events.

• Thematic guided tours

Tailor-made tours can be organized for groups, with specific themes (art history, architecture, etc.).

For nature lovers

• Garden walks

The abbey gardens are a haven of peace where you can recharge your batteries and enjoy nature.

• Outdoor activities

The nearby adventure park offers a wide range of sports and leisure activities.

Fontdouce Adventure Park

Right next to the abbey, you'll find the Parc Aventure de Fontdouce. This park offers a multitude of activities in the heart of nature: accrobranche, laser game, archery game, water fight... It's the ideal place to spend a day with family or friends.

The park offers a multitude of courses suitable for all ages and levels:

• Children's trail: Specially designed for the very young, these courses enable children to discover accrobranche in complete safety. They are generally lower and the workshops are adapted to their size.
• Beginners' course: Ideal for getting to grips with accrobranche, these courses offer simple, progressive workshops.
• Intermediate courses: For the more experienced, these courses offer an extra challenge with more technical and higher workshops.
• Expert courses: Reserved for sports enthusiasts and thrill seekers, these courses are the most difficult and the highest.

Complementary activities

In addition to the tree climbing courses, the park offers other activities to vary the pleasures:

• Giant zip lines: Glide at top speed over the forest on zip lines dozens of metres long.
• Laser game: Challenge your friends to a game of laser tag in the forest.
• Archery game: Test your accuracy with bow and arrow.
• Water fight: Have fun with giant water pistols.

For further information:

• Official website of the adventure park: https://www.parc-aventure-fontdouce.com/

Abbaye de Fontdouce - Practical information

Address: Abbaye Notre-Dame de Fontdouce, 17800 Saint-Bris-des-Bois, France

Phone : +33 5 46 74 77 08

Website : https://www.fontdouce.com/

Opening hours 

• April 9 to June 30 and September 1 to November 6

  • Weekdays (excluding school vacations and public holidays): 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm
  • Weekends, public holidays and school vacations: 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• July and August

  • Daily from 10am to 7pm and Saturday from 10am to 5pm

• Closed on August 15th

Rates 

• Self-guided tour of the abbey: €8 (full price), €6 (reduced price)

• Guided tour of the abbey: €12 (full price), €10 (reduced price)

• Discovery pass (self-guided tour of the abbey + adventure park): €18 (full price), €14 (reduced price)

Abbaye de Fontdouce - FAQ

How do I get to Fontdouce Abbey?

Fontdouce Abbey is about 20 km from Saintes and 60 km from La Rochelle. Access is by car, bus or train.

• By car : from Saintes, take the D105 towards Saint-Jean-d'Angély. The abbey is about 10 km from Saint-Jean-d'Angely.

What is Fontdouce Abbey?

Fontdouce Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery, now transformed into a venue for visits and events. It offers an exceptional setting for discovering Romanesque and Gothic history and architecture.

Where is Fontdouce Abbey located?

The abbey is located in Saint-Bris-des-Bois, Charente-Maritime, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France.

How much does the tour cost?

Entrance fees vary from 6 euros to 18 euros (visit + adventure park, for example), depending on age and any packages available. Prices are available on the website.

Tours and activities

What activities are on offer?

The abbey offers a wide range of activities: guided tours, treasure hunts for children, creative workshops, garden walks and much more. The nearby adventure park also offers a host of sporting activities.

Can I visit the abbey outside opening hours?

Private tours can be arranged outside normal opening hours, subject to availability.

Are there guided tours in foreign languages?

It's best to contact the abbey directly for information on the languages on offer.

Can we organize an event at the abbey?

Yes, the abbey can be privatized for weddings, seminars or other events.

Adventure Park

What are the age requirements for the adventure park?

Age requirements vary from course to course. Please consult the adventure park website for more information.

Do I need to make a reservation for the adventure park?

Reservations are recommended, especially in high season.

What equipment should I bring?

Please wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes. Specific equipment is provided on site.

Practical information

Where can we eat?

A picnic area has been set up near the abbey. You can also enjoy a meal in one of the nearby restaurants.

Is there accommodation nearby?

Yes, there's plenty of accommodation close to the abbey: hotels, gîtes and campsites.