Laon: Site of a revolt of townspeople against aristocrats described by Guibert of Nogent.

Troyes: Site of one of the most important trade fairs.

Cluny: the most famous medieval Benedictine house, for a time giving the name "Cluniac" to the order.

Citeaux: Mother-house of the Cistercian Order.

Clairvaux: Cistercian house established by St. Bernard.

Chartres: the cathedral school of Chartres was briefly noteworthy as a site for pre-scholastic studies.

Bec: the abbey of which Anselm was abbot before he was named archbishop of Canterbury.

Nogent: Benedictine house over which Guibert was abbot.