Sunday began with a visit to the Abbaye de Fontenay, which was founded in 1118. It is remarkably well-preserved, although at one point it had been turned into a paper mill (it was, and still is, privately owned).
From the outside, it doesn't seem particularly big but the view from the inside is much different. It seems larger, more spacious. This effect is due, in part, to the lighting. The lights are not in the center, on the ceiling, but are instead around the inside perimeter, from underneath the columns.
Such a wonderful feeling of mystery amid 900-year-old stone.
There is also a dormitory, in which the inhabitants slept year-round. Let me tell you, it is cold in a stone building in the winter! Apparently, the only sources of heat were the kitchen and a 'fireplace' near the scriptorium, from which warm air rose to the dormitory.
In the courtyard --
In the garden --
We didn't get to see any castles, unfortunately, although we passed several. Here is a photo of one taken through the bus window --
Then we drove to Vézelay, which is a town of about 500 inhabitants (as of 2006...according to Wiki :)). Of note, the Second Crusade began here.
La Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine de Vézelay
After a quick tour of the Basilique, Mariana and I went for a walk around Vézelay.
View of the valley, from behind the Basilique.
As you can see, Vézelay is on a hill and the Basilique is at the highest point. Sometimes fog collects in the valley around it and then the Basilique appears as if it's floating in the clouds - very cool!
Mariana
Great trip!
Funny moment - as we were getting off the bus back in Paris, I searched for my umbrella....eventually I came away with 4 umbrellas total, mine among them.
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