Vauclair Abbey

Bouconville-Vauclair, France, France

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Vauclair Abbey, also called Vauclerc Abbey, is a ruined Cistercian monastery founded in 1134 by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux at the request of Barthélemy de Jur, the bishop of Laon, located in the forest of Bouconville-Vauclair about 20 kilometers from Laon in the Aisne department of Hauts-de-France, France.

The abbey was built on marshy land originally called Courmanblain where Bernard installed the first group of Cistercian monks who cleared the space and constructed the monastery, and it became a daughter monastery of the Primatial Abbey of Clairvaux. Though the monastery survived difficult episodes including the Hundred Years' War for centuries, it was dismantled during the French Revolution, suppressed in 1791, and sold as a "National Good," marking the end of its religious function.

The site was heavily damaged during World War I, particularly during the Nivelle Offensive near the Chemin des Dames, but remains a listed Historic Monument preserving various architectural remnants of its monastic past including the lay building, monks' wing, foundations of the abbey church, an octagonal dovecote, and preserved foundation walls.

Today visitors can explore the ruins free of charge with no special preparation needed, as the stone ruins are open for foot exploration, and nearby the site features a recreated garden of medicinal plants with over 400 species laid out in a grid following the plan of the first monastic gardens near the presumed site of the old infirmary, plus a two-hectare conservation orchard with traditional apple and pear varieties. The ruins are accessible daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM year-round, and guided tours of the abbey site are offered, particularly during heritage days.