Abbaye de Fontfroide - A fascinating Abbey and Wine Producer

"The Fontfroide Abbey is located in a valley of the Massif des Corbières, about fifteen kilometers from Narbonne, in what is today called Cathar country. The abbey has survived the centuries and eras, each leaving traces great period in its buildings. Steeped in history and emotion, than try to make you share speakers every day during their visits , the abbey also visit freely, for a more personal and confidential approach.

Fontfroide the Middle Ages

Founded in 1093 by some Benedictine monks, the abbey is linked in 1145 to the Cistercian Order . She knows its development and becomes a great and powerful abbey, certainly one of the largest of Christianity. Thanks to many donations, wealth is increasing, and in the thirteenth century. The community has about 25,000 hectares of land. It was also at this time that the number of religious is more important, the abbey sheltering monks and 80 lay brothers 250-300.
Very quickly, Fontfroide will have to join in the political-religious life with the arrival in the region of a 'new' religion, that of the Cathars . The monks left the cloister and church, to preach and try to convince the people to remain faithful to the Church. Nevertheless, Catharism is growing and gaining momentum. Ultimately, it is the murder of a Cistercian monk of Fontfroide, Pierre de Castelnau, which will precipitate the Albigensian Crusade.
Jacques Fournier, abbot of Fontfroide became Bishop of Pamiers (Ariege), will head for his great court of inquisition before becoming Pope, under the name of Benedict XII (pope of Avignon). His story is told you by E. Le Roy Ladurie in Montaillou Occitan village.
The glorious era of Fontfroide stops abruptly at XIV, with the Black Death of 1348: about 80 monks, only twenty will survive.

Fontfroide sixteenth until the French Revolution

While the Cistercian Order was founded in reaction against the evolution of the Benedictines and their distance from the rigorous spirit of the Ruler of St Benedict, the Cistercian monks will eventually suffer the same release. Religious leave their dorm to move into more comfortable cells, improve their daily table, beautify the Abbey. The 12 monks and 6 buy coffee and chocolate, have sedan chairs and even play pool!
The Abbey also known setting system Commende : the King of France imposes its abbots, nobles mostly, who are only there to enjoy the revenues of Fontfroide. The abbey will undergo further transformations, the abbots 'commendatory' certainly not want to live in an austere and stripped abbey rebirths openings appear, a Court of Honor is built, the Italian gardens are located.
The French Revolution put an end to monastic life and set Commende, Fontfroide will be given to Hospices of Narbonne in 1791.

Fontfroide XIX to today

The abbey will be reoccupied by some monks from 1848 . Twelve Cistercian monks of the Abbey of Sénanque (Gordes) settle in places that had not been maintained for several centuries already, and who had gone through so much that hurt the Revolution. With few means, the religious will make only a few restored. Church deparation of Laws and State provoke their departure to Spain.
In 1908, Gustave and Madeleine Fayet buy the abbey. Artist, curator of the Museum, collector, Gustave Fayet is undertaking a major campaign of restoration and redecoration of Fontfroide. Today, their descendants, still owner, continue the restoration, thanks to you, dear visitors!"

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