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Longpont

In a large valley close to the forest de Retz, the little village of Longpont keeps one of the most impressive of religious ruins, a Cistercian church the same size as the cathedral of Soissons, and buildings of the monastery founded in 1131 by St Bernard and consecrated in 1227 in the presence of St Louis, king of France. The large gothic church built in stone has been partly destroyed during the French Revolution and the buildings have been converted into a private house the inside of which shows rooms and parts from the 13th and 18th centuries. The “chauffoir” with a central chimney supported by four pillars is the only one known in Europe; the cellar from the 13th century is now used to show furniture; a large staircase was added in the 18th century and at the same time facades have been built to enrich the old monastery's buildings including those gothic rooms.