Abbaye de Fontaine-lès-Dijon (Maison Natale de Saint Bernard) - Image 1
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Abbaye de Fontaine-lès-Dijon Maison Natale de Saint Bernard

4.7
·79 reviews·Fontaine-lès-Dijon, France

Birthplace of Saint Bernard, this former castle is now a basilica, offering unique candlelit tours and beautiful gardens.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Summer evenings

Unique candlelit tours

CrowdMedium
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Abbaye de Fontaine-lès-Dijon (Maison Natale de Saint Bernard) - Image 1

Abbaye de Fontaine-lès-Dijon Maison Natale de Saint Bernard

Best Time

Summer evenings

Unique candlelit tours

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Birthplace of Saint Bernard, this former castle is now a basilica, offering unique candlelit tours and beautiful gardens.

4.7
(79 reviews)

"A huge thank you for this beautiful candlelit tour! I highly recommend it."

Vertical photo
TIP

✨ Book Evening Tours

These summer evening tours are highly recommended for their unique atmosphere and engaging storytelling.

🌿 Enjoy the Gardens

The beautiful gardens offer a tranquil escape and are perfect for a picnic before or after your visit.

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Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Candlelit Evening Tour

Candlelit Evening Tour

Experience history come alive with a playful, humorous narration and a stunning a cappella Salve Regina performance.

Birthplace of Saint Bernard

Birthplace of Saint Bernard

Altar area

See the sacred altar and the very spot where Saint Bernard and his siblings were born, a deeply moving historical site.

Medieval Keep and Gardens

Medieval Keep and Gardens

Wander through the ancient medieval keep and enjoy the serene beauty of the surrounding gardens, perfect for a peaceful stroll.

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Evening Tours: A Magical Experience

Don't miss the unique summer evening tours! They offer a playful and humorous recount of Saint Bernard's life by the abbot, often featuring a magnificent a cappella Salve Regina performance. It's a candlelit journey through history.

Explore History and Gardens

This former castle residence, now a basilica, is the birthplace of Saint Bernard. Explore its medieval keep, more recent dome, and the sacred altar. The beautiful surrounding gardens and old fortifications offer a peaceful retreat.

Best Times

When
Summer evenings
Why
Unique candlelit tours
Crowd
Medium
When
Sunday afternoons
Why
Building is open for visits
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

« Il y a donc un chemin pour descendre comme pour monter ; un chemin du bien et un chemin du mal. Évite le mauvais chemin, choisis le bon » 🪜✝️ Saint Bernard, Traité de l’Humilité et de l’orgueil, Deuxième partie Topo de Don Guillaume, curé de Saint Bernard, sur les degrés d’orgueils vus par Saint Bernard. Édifiant 🙏🏼 Le week-end dernier, dans le cadre des Journées Diocésaines de la Jeunesse 🥳 ...
jean_peruta
155 likes • 0 views

✨ Book Evening Tours

These summer evening tours are highly recommended for their unique atmosphere and engaging storytelling. Reddit

🌿 Enjoy the Gardens

The beautiful gardens offer a tranquil escape and are perfect for a picnic before or after your visit. Reddit

Bonjour 👋, Petit passage à Fontaine-les-Dijon et l’église Saint-Bernard entre pierres et nature. Merci à @brigittepietrzak pour ce beau cliché. *************** Sélection 📸 @denis_photography21000 N’oubliez pas d’utiliser #cotedorpix pour être sélectionné. ****************** #cotedorpix #cotedortourisme #cotedor #fontainelesdijon #eglise #nature #pierre #copix_brigittepietrzak
cotedorpix
132 likes • 0 views
Entre automne & hiver, les brumes de novembre enveloppent la nature de douceur🤍 📸12/11/2o21 - - - - - - - - #dijon #fontainelesdijon #eglise #eglisesaintbernard #churchphotography #igersdijon #instadijon #igersfrance #cotedor #cotedorexplorer #cotedorpix #welovebourgogne #burgundy #automne #autumn #brume #brouillard #brouillardmatinal #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #fog #fogphotography ...
laurene_photo_dijon
112 likes • 0 views

⛪ Visit on Sundays

The main building is typically open for visits on Sundays, offering a chance to see historical interiors. Reddit

🎶 Don't Miss the Music

The a cappella Salve Regina performance during evening tours is described as magnificent and moving. Reddit

Une matinée sur les traces de Saint Bernard !📜 Ce mercredi, tous les élèves de 6e du collège Saint-Michel, accompagnés de deux volontaires de l’annexe du collège à Chevigny, sont partis à la découverte de la Maison natale de Saint Bernard à Fontaines-lès-Dijon 🏰 Une sortie immersive ponctuée de saynètes historiques, jouées par des personnages costumés, pour revivre les grandes étapes de la vie d...
saintmichelesarcades
62 likes • 0 views

Tips

from all over the internet

✨ Book Evening Tours

These summer evening tours are highly recommended for their unique atmosphere and engaging storytelling. Reddit

🌿 Enjoy the Gardens

The beautiful gardens offer a tranquil escape and are perfect for a picnic before or after your visit. Reddit

⛪ Visit on Sundays

The main building is typically open for visits on Sundays, offering a chance to see historical interiors. Reddit

🎶 Don't Miss the Music

The a cappella Salve Regina performance during evening tours is described as magnificent and moving. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.7
(79 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise the Abbaye de Fontaine-lès-Dijon for its unique and moving summer evening tours, highlighting the playful narration and magnificent a cappella music. The historical significance as Saint Bernard's birthplace, combined with the beautiful gardens and medieval architecture, makes for a thoughtful and recommended visit.

"A very interesting and unusual evening summer tour.
Relic of Saint Bernard visible!
Life of Saint Bernard recounted in a playful and humorous way by the abbot of the Fontaine-les-Dijon basilica.
A huge congratulations for the Salve Regina, magnificently performed a cappella!
A huge thank you for this beautiful candlelit tour!
I highly recommend it."

lucie harrault

"This magnificent and moving castle residence, now a basilica, is where Lady Ayled gave birth to Saint Bernard and her other children.
It has a medieval keep and a more recent dome.

Inside, you'll find the altar and the place where the children were born, as well as two vaults donated by the kings who had their wishes granted: Louis XIII and his wife, I believe.

The main building is not always open to visitors, but it includes a moving stately bedroom.

The whole building is surrounded by a beautiful garden, bordered on one side by the castle's old fortifications.

I highly recommend a thoughtful visit to this place."

D L

"View from the heights of Dijon from the birthplace of Saint Bertrand"

Run Dmc

What People Like

Unique evening tours
Playful historical narration
Magnificent music performance

What People Dislike

Limited main building access

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Abbaye de Fontaine-lès-Dijon is located near Dijon. While specific public transport details aren't widely shared, driving is a common option. The journey offers views from the heights of Dijon. Reddit

Information on dedicated parking is scarce, but visitors often find it a pleasant drive. Consider checking local parking options upon arrival. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The main building is generally open for visits on Sundays. Special candlelit evening tours are available during the summer. Reddit

For the popular summer evening tours, booking in advance is highly recommended to secure your spot, especially for the musical performances. Reddit

Yes, the evening summer tours are a highlight, featuring a playful recounting of Saint Bernard's life and a 'magnificent' a cappella Salve Regina. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Inside, you can see the altar, the birthplace of Saint Bernard and his siblings, and vaults donated by kings. The stately bedroom in the main building is also a moving sight. Reddit

No, the main building is not always open. It's typically accessible for visits on Sundays, but check for specific opening times. Reddit

This is the magnificent castle residence and birthplace of Saint Bernard, a significant figure in religious history. It also has a medieval keep and was formerly associated with the Feuillants. Reddit

While specific rules aren't detailed, it's generally advisable to be respectful of the religious and historical nature of the site. Check for signage upon arrival. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

There are no specific dining facilities mentioned within the abbey itself. However, the gardens are noted as a nice place for picnicking. Reddit

Yes, the gardens surrounding the basilica are described as a nice place for picnicking, making it a great option for a casual meal. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The gardens and the exterior of the medieval keep offer picturesque views. The candlelit evening tours also provide a unique photographic opportunity. Reddit

Photography rules inside religious and historical sites can vary. It's best to look for posted signs or ask staff for guidance to ensure respectful photography. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

The Abbaye de Fontaine-lès-Dijon offers a unique experience for families, especially the summer evening tours. The 'playful and humorous' storytelling about Saint Bernard's life can capture children's imaginations, making history fun and engaging. Reddit

Beyond the tours, the beautiful gardens provide ample space for kids to run around and enjoy a picnic. The historical elements, like the medieval keep, can also spark curiosity. It's a chance to introduce children to history in a less formal, more interactive setting.

✨ Spiritual and History Enthusiasts

For those interested in religious history and medieval architecture, this abbey is a must-visit. It's the birthplace of Saint Bernard, a monumental figure in Christian history, offering a direct connection to his origins. Reddit

The site's transformation from a castle to a basilica, with its medieval keep and royal connections, provides rich material for historical exploration. The relics and the sacred altar add to the spiritual significance, making it a place for thoughtful contemplation and discovery.

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Life and Legacy of Saint Bernard

The Abbaye de Fontaine-lès-Dijon holds profound historical significance as the birthplace of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153). He was a pivotal figure in the reform of the Cistercian order and a prominent theologian and preacher. His influence extended across Europe, impacting church and state affairs.

Visitors can connect with his origins by visiting the very place where he was born. The abbey preserves relics and recounts his life in engaging ways, particularly during the special evening tours. This allows for a deeper appreciation of his impact on medieval Europe and beyond. Reddit

The playful and humorous narration during the evening tours makes the history accessible and memorable, transforming a solemn site into an engaging experience. The 'magnificent' a cappella performance of the Salve Regina further enhances the spiritual and cultural immersion. Reddit

Architectural Blend: Castle to Basilica

The structure of the Abbaye de Fontaine-lès-Dijon is a fascinating blend of historical periods. It began as a castle residence, evidenced by its medieval keep, and later evolved into a basilica. This architectural duality offers a glimpse into the site's long and varied history.

The more recent dome adds another layer to its visual appeal, contrasting with the older fortifications. Inside, visitors can find the altar and the specific area where Saint Bernard and his siblings were born. The presence of vaults donated by kings, such as Louis XIII, further underscores its historical importance and royal connections. Reddit

The surrounding gardens and old fortifications complement the main building, creating a picturesque and historically rich environment. This combination of defensive structures, religious spaces, and serene gardens makes the abbey a unique destination for history buffs and those seeking a peaceful retreat. Reddit

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