The hydraulic installations carried out by the monks of Royaumont were an innovation for their time. In order to supply the abbey with water, the monks built a 10 km long canal which split in two at the level of the surrounding wall. The main branch enters the enclosure, irrigates the gardens, and collects rainwater and wastewater from the monks’ kitchens and latrines. It then flows down into the Thève, which has been diverted. The other branch, which serves to regulate the flow, bypasses the site. Today, this canal feeds the 100-metre long basin situated in front of the façade of the abbey palace built in the 18th century.