12 Stunning Monasteries in France You’ll Fall in Love With

5. Abbaye de Cluny: The Grandeur of the Past

Once the largest church in Christendom, the Abbaye de Cluny is a testament to the grandeur and influence of the Cluniac order. Founded in 910, this Benedictine abbey was a center of religious and cultural life in medieval Europe, known for its lavish architecture and rich artistic heritage. Although much of the original abbey was destroyed during the French Revolution, the remaining structures still convey a sense of the abbey's former magnificence. The soaring arches and intricate carvings of the surviving buildings offer a glimpse into the opulence and spiritual devotion that defined the Cluniac order. As you explore the ruins of Cluny, you'll be transported back to a time when this abbey was a beacon of faith and learning, a testament to the enduring power of monastic life.