Fontfroide Abbey, Cistercian monastery in Narbonne, France
Fontfroide Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery near Narbonne featuring a large church and an extensive monastic complex. The main buildings include a substantial church, cloister, chapter house, monk dormitories, and surrounding gardens that once supported the community.
The monastery was founded in 1093 as a Benedictine community and joined the Cistercian order in 1145, marking a major shift in how the monks lived and organized their daily routines. It later became involved in the crusade against the Cathars, a religious conflict that shaped the region.
The abbey's name comes from the Latin for "cold spring," referring to the water sources that the monks relied upon for daily life. Today visitors can see the medieval manuscripts and religious objects still housed within its walls, which provide insight into monastic daily practices.
The abbey offers guided tours through the buildings, but the site is best visited in dry weather since many areas are outdoors and require walking across uneven terrain. Late afternoon provides the most pleasant lighting for exploring the cloisters and gardens without crowds.
The rose gardens were planted where monks had been buried for centuries, creating a gentle transformation of the cemetery into a space of living beauty. This overlay of past uses makes the garden a tangible reminder of how the place has evolved through different chapters of its story.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
