Fontainejean Abbey

About

Fontainejean Abbey is a 12th-century French Cistercian abbey located in Fontainejean, on the territory of the commune of Saint-Maurice-sur-Aveyron in the Loiret department and the Centre-Val de Loire region. Only remains of the abbey remain today; These were listed in the inventory of historical monuments on October 6, 1925.

Geography: The remains of Fontainejean Abbey are located about three kilometers east of the town of Saint-Maurice-sur-Aveyron, at the place called Fontainejean, near the departmental road 56 towards Charny and on the edge of the Aveyron River.

Foundation and growth: Around 1124, under the impulse of Milon de Courtenay belonging to the House of Courtenay and Lord of Cerdagne, the Cistercian Abbey of Fontainejean was founded. It is the 8th Cistercian Abbey daughter of Pontigny. The first abbot, Stephen, arrived from Citeaux with 12 religious on the 13th of April (20 March) 1124. Their first constructions are gill cells and an oratory dedicated to Saint Marie-Madeleine. The field where this first chapel would have been raised is still named field...