Fontfroide Abbey
Fontfroide Abbey is found to the south-west of Narbonne in the Aude department of Languedoc-Roussillon.
It is the setting and surroundings in a quiet wooded valley that is almost impressive as the abbey itself at Fontfroide.
The abbey dates from the 12th century, although the monks had used the location a century before that. Further modifications were made at Fontfroide during the 17th century, when it was no longer run by the monks.
One key event in the history of the Abbey was triggered at the beginning of the 13th century - it was the murder of a monk from the abbey that triggered the Albigensian Crusade, and the abbey supported the crusade in the (ultimately successful) battle against the cathars in the region.
The abbey's life as a monastery was less consistent after the 14th century, largely due to the Black death which killed 75% of the monks in 1348. After the 17th century the abbey was in the hands of abbots who renovated much of the building and added many new section. These abbots were not monks and this explains some of the additions to the building being slightly less monastic and rather more 'homely' than expected.
Nonetheless the slightly out of keeping renovations do little to detract from the overall appeal of the abbey.
The abbey was once again occupied by monks from 1858 onwards, until a law passed in 1901 outlawed communities of monks. At the beginning of the 20th century the abbey fell into private hands, and was further renovated and 'enhanced'.
The impressive cloisters and the extensive rose gardens are perhaps the highlight of a visit to this well proportioned ensemble - but I do have a soft spot for cloisters!
Your visit might be followed by a marked trail through the surrounding countryside, or wine tasting in the abbey cellars. Tough choice!
Visit Fontfroide Abbey (Languedoc-Roussillon, Aude) travel, gites and hotels
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The Fontfroide Abbey hotels listed feature descriptions, guest reviews, ratings, location maps, online booking etc. as well as the 'best-price' guarantee. The search for hotels in Fontfroide Abbey is provided by booking.com. General holiday / vacation options- See Languedoc-Roussillon gites for Fontfroide Abbey holiday rentals - Holiday villages in Languedoc-Roussillon Holidays nearbyLooking for something close by? See a wide choice of hotels, holiday villages and holiday rentals at: Places to Stay near Fontfroide Abbey VisitSee Visit Fontfroide Abbey for places to visit near Fontfroide Abbey including: a detailed map, villages in bloom and most beautiful villages DiscussAsk questions or leave a comment about Fontfroide Abbey in our Languedoc-Roussillon forum Airports near Fontfroide AbbeyCarcassonne airport at 66 km Montpellier airport at 127 km Perpignan airport at 43 km Fontfroide Abbey property for saleSee Languedoc-Roussillon property for sale
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Places to visit near Fontfroide Abbey, France
Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near Fontfroide Abbey.
Some places to visit within 30 km: 
24 km: Aigne (attractive village) 21 km: Bize-Minervois (town) 21 km: Gruissan (village and surfing beach) 28 km: Leucate (village and surfing beach) 30 km: Minerve (Most beautiful village) 13 km: Narbonne (Coastal city) 14 km: Sigean Nature Reserve (African Nature Reserve)
See also Fontfroide Abbey (version Francais)
