"Fontevraud Abbey" a Fontevrault-l'Abbaye Travel Page by Beausoleil

I've never put a Fontevraud Alley page on VT because I couldn't find it. ATLC was more persistent. Thanks to her I discovered VT spells it differently. I'll refer back to the Michelin spelling here because it is what I'm used to.

We first visited back in 1996 before I had a digital camera and I do have photos on disk but these from a more recent visit are better pictures. It is a stunning place and an excellent break from all the Loire chateaus.

The first time we visited I was a bit put off because it all looked so new, like it had just been built. My husband, who is good at putting things into perspective, said that it was probably just as new looking when Eleanor of Aquitaine was Abbess. 8^)

As you walk through the abbey and grounds, look at all the marvelous stone carvings. It is incredibly beautiful . . . so delicate.

The gardens are more extensive than they were 10 years ago and although we were there in September, it was still lovely. This is a photo of the abbey kitchen through the flowers. The first time we visited I was enchanted with the odd pointy roof and many chimneys. The guidebook said it was the kitchen but I wasn't quite sure how it was set up inside. This time, it was open and we could go inside. It looks very functional inside.