Pontigny, In Burgundy
We'll finish our little tour of the Yonne by navigating up the Serein to the village of Pontigny, where the imposing abbey church that stands in the foreground lets visitors know right from the start that this is not a common piece of religious architecture. Known as the 2nd of the four great daughter houses of the Cistercian movement founded during the latter part of the 11th century south of Dijon, this monument dates from the early 12th century and exudes the austerity that typified Cistercian precepts. The architecture is both elegant and unadorned and offers a remarkable transition between the Romanesque and Gothic building periods (http://romanes.com/Pontigny/). Currently a parish church, the monument is open to public visit and the guided tour lasts about an hour.