Clairvaux Abbey

Clairvaux Abbey

Main façade of the abbey
Location within France
Monastery information
Order	Cistercian
Established	1115
Mother house	Cîteaux Abbey
People
Founder(s)	Bernard of Clairvaux
Site
Location	Ville-sous-la-Ferté, France
Coordinates	48°08′50″N 4°47′20″E / 48.14722°N 4.78889°E / 48.14722; 4.78889
Visible remains	substantial
Public access	yes

Clairvaux Abbey (/klɛərˈvoʊ/, French: [klɛʁvo]; Latin: Clara Vallis) was a Cistercian monastery in Ville-sous-la-Ferté, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Bar-sur-Aube. The original building, founded in 1115 by Bernard of Clairvaux, is now in ruins; the present structure dates from 1708.^[1] Clairvaux Abbey was a good example of the general layout of a Cistercian monastery. The abbey has been listed since 1926 as a historical monument by the French Ministry of Culture.

The grounds are now occupied and used by Clairvaux Prison, a high-security prison.