Abbey of Vezelay vs. Abbey of Fontenay
 

We will be arriving in Burgundy in approximately two weeks and are trying to nail down our itinerary. If we only have time for one of these Abbeys, which would you recommend and why? Thanks!

In Fontenay it's a Basilica, not an abbey--a beautiful church with a white, light-filled interior and very interesting columns. Fontenay is an actual abbey that was lived and worshipped in by monks. So it depends on which you'd rather see, although I'd try hard to visit both. That wouldn't require too much time.

The Basilica in Fontenay is one of the starting points for the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. It's also the church from which Thomas à Becket proclaimed the excommunication of Henry II. Lots of history there.

Vezelay is also a untouched medieval village built on a hill crowned by the glorious cathedral- do try to do both! But Vezelay can be very crowded in summer - read up on its history - was in medieval days one of the most popular pilgrim destinations in Europe - teh pious flocked here to pray before some holy relic which when exposed as a fake caused the pilgrim torrent to dry up completely - the town slumbered along unchanged until rehabbed I think in the 1800s into today's pristine medieval village with stunning church.

No more pilgrims of course but just lots of tourists - I think Fontenay is less commercialized -but again do both if possible.

There's no question in my mind - Fontenay! I found it both lovely and interesting. It's a complex of buildings with lovely landscaping. A lovely stream and grist mill provide interest as well. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and would love to go again.

To give you some ideas, here are photos of both, taken last Fall

Fontenay: https://goo.gl/photos/J8QNS4KPDncMBvpVA

Vezelay: https://goo.gl/photos/gP1pddLRMrWS3Fbr7

Have only been to Vezelay and loved it. Both the town and the Abbey. What is unique is that we saw a whole pack of young nuns (there is no such thing in the US) there and hears some choir practicing.

SemiMike, I loved your photos! I have been trying to get to Burgundy for over ten years, not for the wine so much but for places like Vezelay and Fontenay.

Leely2, thanks very much! About the only thing better than sharing my love for France is, of course, being there myself once again.

If you only have time for one, I don't think that you will go wrong with either. We visited both last fall. Your choice may depend on logistics of your other plans in Burgundy.

Fontenay is not in a town. The building complex is beautiful as are the grounds. It is no longer an active monastery.

As PalenQ said, The Abbey of Vezelay is located in a Medieval village and the religious activities are ongoing. To me this gives it more context to current life and there are a variety of dining options and many interesting streets to stroll down (and up).

Thanks for all of the input. I think that we are going to try to do both, stopping at Fontenay on our way from Paris to Dijon and then visiting Vezelay later on in the trip.