Fontenelle Abbey (Nord)

The abbey was founded in 1212 to the south of Valenciennes on the banks of the Scheldt as a small oratory by two sisters Agnes and Jeanne, daughters of Hélin, seigneur d'Aulnoy.

The convent was under the protection of the Counts of Hainaut and were endowed with considerable riches and land.

[1] It grew famous in the 14th century after Joan of Valois, Countess of Hainaut (1294–1352; daughter of Charles of Valois, sister of King Philip VI of France, widow of William I, Count of Hainaut, and mother-in-law of Emperor Louis IV), entered the community in 1337[2] At Fontenelle she maintained her own chancellery and personal staff, received guests from court and was kept up to day in political affairs.

[4] After several destructions and reconstructions during the course of the centuries, the nunnery was dissolved in 1793 in the French Revolution and demolished.

[2] It lay forgotten until 1977, when during building works on the Scheldt canal, remains came to light.