Pontigny Abbey

The foundation of Pontigny was promoted through the initiative of Stephen Harding (c. 1060–1134), abbot of Cîteaux from 1108 to 1133. A canon of Auxerre Cathedral and Humbaud, bishop of the same diocese, also took part in the undertaking. The first abbot of Pontigny was Hugues de Mâcon, who was associated with Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153). Although there is no documentary confirmation, chroniclers of the Order considered that the site chosen for the new abbey had previously been occupied by a hermit named Stephen.

Around the turn of the 13th century, the chapel of Saint-Thomas was built in honour of Thomas Becket (c. 1118–1170), Archbishop of Canterbury. Becket had taken refuge at Pontigny between 1164 and 1166. In 1170, he was murdered at Canterbury following conflicts with the English monarchy concerning the defence of the Church’s freedom from royal authority. After Becket, the Archbishops of Canterbury Stephen Langton (c. 1150–1228) and Edmund Rich (Saint Edmund, also known as Saint Edme, c. 1175–1240) were also forced into exile. Edmund died in 1240 and was buried at Pontigny, where he is venerated.

From 1790 onwards, the abbey was affected by the French Revolution. The community dispersed and some of the buildings fell into ruin. The church survived thanks to the popularity of the devotion to Saint Edmund: in 1801, it became a parish church, and in 1840 it was listed as a historic monument. The large abbey church survives. It is preceded by an atrium and consists of three aisles and a transept with lateral chapels. The eastern end comprises the chancel, surrounded by an ambulatory with radiating chapels. Some structures belonging to the other monastic buildings also survive.