2025 Tour Day 7 - Fontfroide Abbey

Another day trip on our bikes took us just out of Narbonne to visit the Fontfroide Abbey. 

The 14k ride there was on rather busy roads, but we had no issues, the drivers are very careful here. A long winding climb to the Abbey with random ruins along the way, olive tree groves and vineyards and some beautiful stone guard rails (yes beautiful guard rails, who knew?)

 

The road into the Abbey was lined with a stone wall (dry stone walling - thank you Pamela) and Mediterranean Stone Pine.  The wall went on and on. At least 750 meters. Amazing.  

The foundation of the Abbey dates back to 1093 (Benedictine), changing to Cistercian in 1145. It remained an important Abbey until 1901 when the last monks left it abandoned. 

In 1908 Gustave Fayet and his wife Madeleine d'Andoque acquired it and spent more than a decade restoring it and inviting other artists to visit; it became a place for creativity.

Here is a summary of our tour. 

The refectory. A large room for eating (in silence) 

And looking east you can see the statue of Apollo driving his chariot, and symbolizing sunrise (through the metal gates) 

The lay brothers alley separated the lay brothers and the monks, allowing the monks protection from noise. 

I was whispering, I promise! 

Once again the Cloister was a thing of beauty, dating back to the crusades, when donations were plentiful. The vaulted ceiling and the view to the central garden through marble pillars, all delivering tranquility and calm. 

And then onto the Abbey church with its simple and elegant alter, and amazing stained glass windows. 

Gustave Fayet commissioned these windows to protect the Abbey by sealing up the openings. Their bright colours reflect the times, celebrating nature and joy and are inspired by the Russian ballet, popular in Paris at the time (early 1900's). 

We toured the cellar and dormitory, and then enjoyed the outdoor space, terraced gardens and statues, and beautiful views of the Abbey and the surrounding hills and forest. 

The air was filled with the perfume of blooms. 

The garden walk was treacherous (very old stone stairs), but provided lovely views and the birds were active and loud. 

We made it home a lot faster (mostly downhill), in time for a trip to the grocery store. 

Big excitement for us there as we learned how to use the "slice your own bread" machine! 

(Yes we made toast as soon as we got home 🤣)

No need to mention the Toronto Maple Leafs in this blog, or any other blog until next season 😥 

Thanks for following along and commenting. We are happy to share our adventures.