Grange cistercienne de Fontcalvy

Grange Cistercienne de Fontcalvy is a fortified stone structure with a square shape near Ouveillan. It features eight buttress towers, two interior levels, and each side measures roughly 20 meters across.

Construction took place between 1297 and 1320 as a sheep shelter and storage facility for Fontfroide Abbey. The defensive features were built to protect valuable supplies from theft and raids.

The name reflects its past as a storage facility for a Cistercian abbey. The sturdy walls and defensive design show how medieval monks protected their goods and managed their agricultural resources.

The building stands about 15 kilometers south of Narbonne along road D13 and is entered through an eastern tower entrance. Wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven and the structure sits in open countryside.

Of the 24 granges that belonged to Fontfroide Abbey, this one preserves the most complete original medieval elements. Its defensive architecture is rare compared to other agricultural buildings from that period.

Location: Ouveillan

GPS coordinates: 43.27635,2.99880

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:23