Can the castle of Fontaine-lès-Dijon be visited?

The site, known as the birthplace of Saint Bernard, brings together a castle, chapels and a basilica around an esplanade, but no verified visiting hours are available here.

Why is this castle linked to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux?

Bernard of Clairvaux was born here in 1090, son of the lord Tescelin le Roux, which is why the site is called his birthplace.

Is the current castle really medieval?

A construction from the 11th century lies at the origin of the site, but the buildings seen today result from successive alterations up to the 19th century, especially after being dismantled during the Revolution.

What is the basilica next to the castle?

It is a church built in 1891 for the eighth centenary of Saint Bernard's birth, never officially consecrated despite being called a basilica.

Couvent et Basilique Saint-Bernard

Fontaine-lès-Dijon

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Fontaine-lès-Dijon

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

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Château et basilique de Fontaine-lès-Dijon stands in Fontaine-lès-Dijon (Côte-d'Or), in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 12th century, 17th century, 19th century). No visits are on record for this building.

On a hilltop in Fontaine-lès-Dijon, a few kilometres from Dijon, stands a complex that began in the 11th century as a watch castle built by the knight Tescelin le Roux. It was here, in 1090, that his son Bernard was born, later the abbot of Clairvaux, which is why the site is known today as the birthplace of Saint Bernard. The medieval castle, altered many times and largely dismantled after the French Revolution, now stands next to a basilica erected in 1891 for the eighth centenary of the saint's birth. Visitors can see an old entrance tower, 17th century chapels bearing royal coats of arms, and a neo Gothic building that was never officially consecrated as a church.

Written from Couvent et Basilique Saint-Bernard

Where this château is

Fontaine-lès-Dijon · Côte-d'Or · Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Map of the area around Château et basilique de Fontaine-lès-Dijon

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Fontaine-lès-Dijon, Côte-d'Or

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA00112467
Period of construction: 12th century, 17th century, 19th century

Itineraries

In pictures

Frequently asked

Can the castle of Fontaine-lès-Dijon be visited?: The site, known as the birthplace of Saint Bernard, brings together a castle, chapels and a basilica around an esplanade, but no verified visiting hours are available here.
Why is this castle linked to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux?: Bernard of Clairvaux was born here in 1090, son of the lord Tescelin le Roux, which is why the site is called his birthplace.
Is the current castle really medieval?: A construction from the 11th century lies at the origin of the site, but the buildings seen today result from successive alterations up to the 19th century, especially after being dismantled during the Revolution.
What is the basilica next to the castle?: It is a church built in 1891 for the eighth centenary of Saint Bernard's birth, never officially consecrated despite being called a basilica.