Abbaye de Fontenay

Founded in 1118 and one of the oldest and most complete Cistercian abbeys in Europe. Only few visitors there today and the guided tour passed very quickly. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and - quite astonishingly - private owned.

It was on our way towards Beaune, in the département of Côte-d'Or. I always wondered where this 'golden' name comes from and since this afternoon I have my own, not official explanation. Coming down the hills before Beaune the sunshine came through and the vineyards almost glowed in a golden colour. Et voilà - that easy.