CLAIRVAUX, a village of north-eastern France, in the department of Aube, 4o m. E.S.E. of Troyes. Clairvaux (Clara Vallis) is situated in the valley of the Aube on the eastern border of the forest of Clairvaux. Its abbey founded in III 5 by St. Bernard became the centre of the Cistercian order. The build ings (see ABBEY) belong for the most part to the 18th century, but there is a large storehouse which dates from the 12th century.