Abbey de Vaudair

East of Lac de l'Ailette are the ruins of a mysterious abbey.

Listed since 1911, Vauclair Abbey is a relic of the past and located in the middle of the mystical triangle, which connects the former provinces of Picardy, Champagne and Ile-de-France.

Vauclair Abbey was founded in 1134 by Saint Bernard. For the construction of buildings, the monks have their own quarries: that of the Cave of the Dragon and that of Chermizy. The Hurtebise farm, a few hundred meters to the south, is an outbuilding of the abbey.
The French Revolution led to the closure of the abbey and its abandonment, leading to some of its dismantling. It is transformed into a farm after being sold as a national property in 1791 and until the war of 14-18.

Vauclair Abbey was destroyed during the 1917 offensive on Chemin des Dames, south of the site.

Since the 1970s, thanks to the action of Father Anselme Dimier and Father Courtois, 200 young European students have raised the abbey from its ashes.

Today, the site of Vauclair Abbey not only has its improved ruins, but also an enormous garden of medicinal plants.

Vert de l'Ailette, the Abbey of Vauclair is a must-see during a stay in Ailette.

Local tip: the Vauclair Domaniale forest is also an opportunity for a nice forest walk.

Leonard van Bakel