Auberive, an ancient and wealthy Cistercian abbey, was founded in 1135 on the banks of the Aube by Saint Bernard and Villain d'Aigrement, Bishop of Langres, with the support of the surrounding lords (the Grancey, Champlitte and Rochetaillée families and their vassals).
The monastery, which was particularly prosperous in the 12th century, suffered the ravages of the Hundred Years' War, the Wars of Religion in the 16th century and then the Thirty Years' War (17th century), as it was located on the border between Champagne and Burgundy.
The old buildings were rebuilt in the 18th century as part of the great movement to rebuild abbeys initiated by St Denis in Paris.
In the 19th century, it became a central house for women. Its most famous prisoner was Louise Michel, who was incarcerated for 20 months after the events of the Commune.
A free guided historical tour of Auberive Abbey is available on our website (practical information page, tour application). Our audioguides offer the same guided tour (€2 per audioguide) and are available in (FR, GB, D, NL).
Abbaye d'Auberive
