kam

My husband and I are both very interested in Medieval--mostly English--history but will be in France in October. We would love to visit the burial place of Eleanor of Aquitaine, but cannot find it in any of our books------does anyone know where it is and what city is closest to it? I understand many of the Plantagenets are there and we'd love to see the abby. Thanks. <BR>

wes Fowler

Kam, <BR>Not only the burial place of Eleanor, but also Henry II, Richard the Lionhart and Isabelle of Angouleme! The Royal Abbey of Fontevraud (not Fontevrault) is located in the Western Loire region of France. There is a web site you can check out. It's <BR>www.cr-pays-de-la-loire.fr/eng/doc/musee2.htm The abbey has a hotel; you can contact it at (33) 2 41 51 71 41 or via Email at: [email protected]

Frank

The green Michelin guide "Chateaux of the Loire" spells it Abbaye de Fontevraud. It lies S.E. of Saumur and E. of Chinon in the Loire Valley. On a back road from Chinon I would guess it's about 10 miles. I was hoping to be in that area this August but will be in Paris only. You may include French History as a hobby after you see this area of France.

kam

Thank you both for such great information!! I am currently reading a very well documented non fiction biography called "Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Four King." by Amy Kelly, when she was a student at Wellesley in the 1950s. Why would she spell it with a "t" in the book? Maybe an English spelling? Anyway, the interesting thing is that we have been in the Loire Valley and it's beautiful but didn't know about the abby-------now, is it a daytrip from Paris? or should we overnight? How about from Toulouse--probably too far, right? I'm assuming it's fantastic and yes, I did know about the other Plantagenets, but Eleanor has special appeal for me. She was quite a character and a very strong woman! At any rate, you two have made my day!! Many thanks. K. <BR>

Frank

I read the book a good many years ago. I think it's too far for a day trip from Toulouse. But consider taking the train to Saumur from which you can get a bus to the Abby. There is enough to see there to warrant staying the night in the 3 star hotel which is part of the abbey complex, Hotellerie Prieure St.Lazare, tel. 41 51 73 16.

kam

Frank, I'm confused. Would you take a train from Toulouse to Saumur and overnight at the abby or are you saying we should take a train from Paris and overnight? We are staying with friends in Toulouse (business, as well) and when we reach Paris my husband will have no spare time. I will, but we are equally interested in Eleanor. If you think we could do Toulouse to Saumur and back in 2 days we could make it! Have to consult with our friends in Toulouse because they insist, as we all do wherever we live, that they live in the most interesting place on earth and they want us to spend all our time in the Toulouse area. Need to rethink this a bit. I guess I thought that since she was Eleanor of Aquitaine, her burial place would be in Aquitaine somewhere. I'll be very sad not to have seen the abby. Thanks for your advice. <BR>

gina

<BR>Not only all the above, but there is a really wonderful effigy of Eleanor and Henry II at the abbey. You'll be in 7th heaven, because the region is stuffed full of references to her. She seems to have made a heck of an impact. <BR> <BR>have a great time!

gina

<BR>Not only all the above, but there is a really wonderful effigy of Eleanor and Henry II at the abbey. You'll be in 7th heaven, because the region is stuffed full of references to her. She seems to have made a heck of an impact. <BR> <BR>have a great time!

Frank

Going to the abbey from Paris by train would get you to Saumur in less then 2 hours plus another 20-30 minutes by bus. The distance is much greater from Toulouse. Go to www.raileurope.com They have a good system whereby you put in the departure city and destination city and they come up with fare and time. Try Toulouse-Tours. Saumur is probably too small a town to be included in their system. But I know it would take you 35 minutes from Tours to Saumur. My rough guess is about 5-6 hours. If I'm correct it would ever make one night insufficient for adequate sightseeing. I assume driving is not an option, however, I don't know if that would be easier from Toulouse.

kam

Alas, guys, we may have to skip Eleanor this time. Have business stuff in Toulouse and then more business meetings in Paris so are locked in to flying between the two. Once in Paris, husband can't leave meetings and would be upset to be excluded. After that we already have reservations in Champagne, Reims and Alsace with friends. So, Eleanor may have to wait. I foolishly thought that being the Duchess of Aquitaine, she would be buried there, but this makes sense because of the other Plantagenets. And, yes, Eleanor was a woman ahead of her times who lived to be 84 I think back in the Middle Ages!! I thank everyone for your great responses and will keep them for next time. <BR>