10.5.10

More from Burgundy

On the way from Paris to Dijon, Beaune and the surrounding wine districts, a few other places are of interest, actually quite a few, but here are two:

Abbey de Fontenay
The Cistercian Abbey de Fontenay was founded by Saint Bernard de Clairvaux in 1118. It was very prosperous during some centuries, but suffered from the Hundred Years’ War and other religious wars and was finally closed during the Revolution. It became a paper mill until 1902, owned by the Mongolfier family, more known for the montgolfière hot air balloon (see previous post about the first human flight). In 1905 the abbey was bought and restored by a rich banker (Edouard Aynard). Almost all original buildings remain and can now be visited. Being one of the oldest and most complete Cistercian abbeys it was classified a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981.

Flavigny-sur-Ozerain
A Benedictine Abbey existed at Flavigny-sur-Ozerain already during the 8th century. The town, situated on a hill top was prosperous during the Middle Ages and was a stop on for the pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostella (see previous post). The town was then surrounded by fortifications, some of them still there. During the 17th century an Ursuline convent was founded. Today there are only some 400 residents, some more during the summer months. The place is still known for the production of anise-flavored candies, called “Anise of Flavigny”, first done by the Benedictine monks.

If you have seen the film “Chocolat” by Lasse Hellström, starring Johnny Depp, Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench, Alfred Molina, Leslie Caron… you may be interested to know that it was to a large extent shot here.




36 comments:

Simony said...

Peter, what an amazing place to visit.
Pictures like these I have only seen in books, and now I can't stop imagining myself there! Those arches in Abbey de Fontaney are to die for! So strong and beautiful. Just too beautiful!!!

Owen said...

Looks like you had a beautiful day out. You mentioned the wine down that way, I do hope you had time to partake of some. Savigny les Baune is one of my favorites from that area.

Fontenay is indeed a lovely place, have been there... very peaceful. As for Flavigny, I didn't know about it, but will have to go look now that I've been contaminated with your contagious virus here. And even better since it is in the land of Oz...

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Wonderful pictures of a place that is truly magical!

Excellent post!

Olivier said...

la celebre Abbaye de Flavigny, j'adore leurs boites d'anis, c'est delicieux..hummmm

hpy said...

Tes photos me donnent envie de retourner me promener là-bas.

Leon Sims said...

Only last year we stayed in the region and have to say that a return visit would be on the wish list. We were based in Dijon for the week in a fabulous and well priced apartment and the best owner you could wish for.
She helped us in so many ways to enjoy the area.
Leon

Olivier said...

bizarre pour Damien Saez, pour l'avoir vu sur ces deux dernières tournées (mais pas celle de cette année) j'ai toujours pris du plaisir...par contre c'est pas facile de faire des photos dans les grandes salles de concerts.

Trotter said...

After all this pilgrimage, you're definitely ready for the Pope: arriving in Lisbon tomorrow, provided that the Icelandic volcano allows... ;)

PS: A bit absent these days... ;)

Nathalie H.D. said...

Des ciels un peu gris et des pierres qui semblent bien humides mais quelle architecture !

C'est vraiment le coeur de la France dans toute sa dimension historique et culturelle, profondément marquée par le christianisme et l'agriculture. Magnifique et presque poignant.

Bagman and Butler said...

The sculpture of the saint looking out a window is fantastic!

Cergie said...

Ca y est me voilà revenu du beaujolais, notre fiston travaille dans le Mâconnais au pied de la roche de Solutré ; il est très enthousiaste, c'est sympa on mange bien on boit bien et il y a des paysages magnifiques, on va y aller en vacances s'il nous trouve un gite.
J'aime bien les petites pastilles de Flavigny et toi ?
Tu vas parler de la source de la Seine ?

Cergie said...

J'ai compris : tu es allé là bas pour faire une retraite, revêtir la robe de bure et te repentir de tes péchés !!!

The Armchair Parisian said...

It couldn't be more picturesque... Beautiful, merci for sharing :-)

Starman said...

These pictures make me realize all I've missed.

Ruth said...

I knew nothing of these places until now, Peter, well except for the movie Chocolat. The abbey is spectacular, and the town epitomizes quaintness. I am so very happy that the French have maintained all these good things the best they could, in spite of wars and revolutions.

Charlotte Nursing Home Malpractice said...

Amazing architecture and design for all buildings.

Catherine said...

En résumé, que n'ont pas fait ces moines cisterciens pour préparer ta future venue !

Tu leur rends bien hommmage par tes photos....Le calme et la sérénité s'infiltre dans chaque salle, chaque allée de Fontenay. Peut-être est-ce la douceur de la lumière dont les nuances caressent la verdure et le blanc des pierres.

Cezar and Léia said...

Hello dear Peter!
wow beautiful pictures, and this place loosk perfect for a vacation, you are giving us great ideas!:)
Thanks so much!
Léia

Harriet said...

I want to make a visit!!! Thanks for these lovely photos.

claude said...

Tu te fais hostporien de la Bourgogne, maintenant !
Super post, Peter !
Que c'est beau dans ce coin.
Je te passe un mail concernant mon petit voyage à Paris.

Parisbreakfasts said...

I wish I'd seen Burgundy with you!
How many paintings..?

sonia a. mascaro said...

Peter, what a wonderful place to visit some day...
Yes, I saw the film "Chocolate" and pictures like yours make me wish to know not only Paris, but all the France...
Thanks for sharing this great post, as always.

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Hello Peter.. This looks like a fabulous place to visit.. your photos are superb as usual. :-)

I have seen the film "Chocolat" too, loved the area. Thanks for sharing.

Shame we missed each other again .. I hope to be back over sometime later in the year.. so maybe then we might be in Paris at the same time.. Cannot be helped, everyone has breaks to take.

In the meantime, I will enjoy your posts.

Cheryl said...

Such a beautiful village! It looks like a fairy tale setting. I'd love to spend a few days there painting.

And I love the stone lady in the window. What is her story, I wonder?

PeterParis said...

Simony:
What can I say?... I just must agree! :-)

Owen:
Wine tasting was on the program and I brought a little bit home! Oz? :-)

V Rakesh:
Thanks! :-)

PeterParis said...

Olivier:
Gourmand! :-)

hpy:
Tu connais le chemin! :-)

Leon and Sue:
So, I guess you plan coming back! Thanks for your visit here! :-)

PeterParis said...

Olivier:
Il avait un peu changé de répertoire; impression d'écouter la même chanson toute la soirée! :-)

Trotter:
I understand the Pope arrived safely! :-)

Nathalie:
Magnifique, en effet; j'adore cette région ... et beaucoup d'autres y compris la tienne! :-)

PeterParis said...

Bagman...:
Yes ... and surprising! :-)

Cergie:
Non, je ne suis passé par la source cette fois! J'ai appris à préférer l'anis dans le pastis (modérément bien sur):-)

Cergie bis:
Quel péchés? :-)

PeterParis said...

The Armchair Parisian:
A pleasure to share! :-)

Starman:
Soon back? :-)

Ruth:
Yes, fortunately quite a bit remains, has been restored after the revolutions...! :-)

PeterParis said...

Charlotte...:
Indeed! :-)

Catherine:
Je ne connais pas beaucoup d'endroits ou en ressent autant le calme et la sérénité! :-)

Léia:
You should go there! It's not too far from Luxembourg! :-)

PeterParis said...

Harriet:
So, next time!! :-)

Claude:
J'attends ton mail! :-)

ParisBreakfasts:
Maybe some wine bottles instead of macarons on your paintings? :-)

PeterParis said...

Sonia:
Still waiting to learn when you will come! :-)

Anne:
Yes, next time it must work! :-)

Cheryl:
I don't know the story of the lady, but I know that you would be able to do some nice paintings there, or elsewhere! :-)

Unknown said...

Gorgeous places and photos, Peter!

arabesque said...

i love how you captured the cloistered hallways and the place looks very calm and quaint.
so different from city life!

PeterParis said...

JM:
Easier to make nice photos when the places are nice! :-)

Arabesque:
Yes, quite different! :-)

BLOGitse said...

What treasures you have over there!
Beautiful pictures, as usual!

Happy weekend from Casa!

BLOGitse