Warming room

In the 13th century, the so-called “chauffoir” was the only heated room in the religious community and the only one, along with the kitchens, with a fireplace. It gradually lost its role following the multiplication of fireplaces in the Abbey. It is also in this room that the monks were tonsured and  bled four times a year. During this obligatory operation, a monk-nurse drew blood from the patient’s arm to facilitate his recovery, and even if he was healthy, to rid him of his “bad humours”.