Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Cistercian barn of Beaumont, located in Riel-les-Eaux in the distance from Beaumont, is a Catholic monacal building linked to Clairvaux Abbey. Acquired in 1131 by the Abbé de Clairvaux, it was developed with a barn, a building for conversants, a dam forming a pond and a tilery. This site was one of the five abbey farms, and remains the only one to have retained its medieval setting.

The architecture of this restored tithe barn extends over 1,000 m2 with five naves and eight spans. Its oak frame, culminating at 12 meters, bears witness to its historical importance. Redesigned in the 15th and 17th centuries, it illustrates the evolution of Cistercian agricultural and architectural techniques.

Ranked a historic monument in 1991, the Beaumont Barn is now privately owned. Its road access is from Riel-les-Eaux via Autricourt and Cunfin (Aube), reflecting its geographical isolation. It symbolizes the agricultural and religious heritage of the region, linked to the Cistercian Order and the Abbey of Clairvaux.

The site is mentioned in specialized works, such as Christophe Wissenberg (2007), which explores its history between Champagne and Burgundy. Its inclusion in the inventory of historical monuments underlines its heritage value, both for its architecture and for its role in the medieval monastic economy.

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