Royaumont Abbey still has the appearance of a medieval abbey despite the destruction of its imposing church shortly after the French Revolution. Though its size was not in conformity with the rules of the Cistercians, Louis IX was determined to make it radiate in memory of his father. The length of the church (316 ft / 105.5 m) brought it closer to that of the Cathedral of Soissons. Witnesses said that the priest could hardly be distinguished from the entrance to the monument. The 300 men who destroyed the church in 1792 had to saw the pillar and attach chains pulled by oxen and men to make the building collapse. Only a portion of the staircase and the wall adjoining the eastern gallery of the cloister remain.