Abondance, commune in Haute-Savoie, France
Abondance is a small municipality in Haute-Savoie nestled in a mountain valley with narrow streets and old stone buildings. The village centers on the medieval Abbey of Abondance, and surrounding meadows have long supported dairy farming and cheese production that remains active today.
Abondance was founded in the 12th century around a Benedictine abbey whose religious community shaped the valley's economic and cultural development. The settlement grew as an agricultural community where monks and later local farmers established cheese-making that continues to this day.
Abondance is a mountain village deeply connected to cheese production, with the local Abondance cheese still made in the valley following methods passed down through generations. The abbey and old stone buildings reflect how religious communities shaped the settlement and continue to define the village's identity today.
The village is accessible by car along mountain roads and has parking facilities and visitor services. Summer months from June to September are best for hiking and exploration, while winter enables skiing and snow activities, so dress warmly and bring appropriate gear depending on the season.
The village produces a protected cheese with geographical indication that can only be made in this valley according to strict rules. Visitors can explore how this cheese developed through centuries at the Maison du Val, where traditional equipment and methods are displayed and explained.
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