Carcassonne—Roadtrip to Abbey Frontfroide and Lagrasse

Today we drove an hour east of Carcassonne to Fontfroide Abbey, affiliated with the Cistercian Order in 1145, but founded in 1093. It is stunningly beautiful. By 1594 only seven monks remained, but between 1476-1717 three different families took possession of the abbey and refurbished some buildings during their time. In 1908 wine producer, entrepreneur, patron of the arts, artist, traveler, Gustav Fayet purchased and renovated Fontfroide Abbey.

We took a ton of pictures, but have culled through them to show off its best sides. Enjoy.

Main courtyard.

Main courtyard beauty.

Refectory built in 12th century & seats 250 hungry lay brothers.

Gustav Fayet added Renaissance-style fireplace during
his renovation around 1910. Originally, the refectory
wasn't ever heated. In fact, only the forge, kitchens &
bakery were heated when the monks worked the abbey.

Refectory picture taken from fireplace.

Wisteria climbing cloister wall.

The cloister is the heart of the Abbey where
Monks walked the square meditating and praying.

Cloister garden.

Monks might walk inside the cloister or the garden square.

Not a monk.

Red and purple wisteria climbing cloister walls.

Just liked the cloister architecture. Note the

varied openings framing a geometric garden.

Abbey church is adjacent to cloister and is one of the largest

Cistercian churches built in the latter half of 12th century. The

barrel vault ceiling is 60 feet high by 60 feet wide. Note the 

width of one of the ten supporting pillars.

Stained glass commissioned by Gustav Fayet. The monks
would have used gray (grisaille) glass.

More Fayet commissioned windows from Richard Burgsthal,
an artist friend.

Main altar. Note simplicity. 

Jesus seems to have lost his head.

Cloister and Church shot from second floor,
opposite monks' cells.

Monk's cell door. It was locked. I tried
every door hoping to see inside one.

Door separating lay brothers'
dormitory and monks' cells.

Great Staircase leading to monks' cells and lay brother's dorm.

Great Staircase to main floor. Cloister to the left and church

the right. The door behind Marie is a short cut to church.

Cellar storeroom now a gallery. Lay brothers' dorm directly above.

Romanesque doorway to cellar storeroom.

Abbey gardens.

Abbey gardens.

More Abbey garden.

Bee garden. Upper level of Abbey garden is planted with
fragrant, and bee-tempting flowers.

From garden to Abbey entrance, waaaay down there.

We're in wine country, of course and these syrah grapes line both
sides of the road to the Abbey entrance.

Off to Lagrasse. We love the tree-lined roads
leading into and out of the small villages.

Lagrasse is classified as one of the Most
Beautiful Villages in France.

Personally, I think Caunes-
Minervios' cobblestone streets
rival Lagrasse's narrow ones.

These white roses are real. A little foliage amongst
the stone walls circa 1000. Of course, the asphalt
footpath is relatively newer.

Okay, so Lagrasse's

streets are really 

narrow.

Local beauty hanging out at covered market.

Eddie, Frasier Crane's friend, retired and living well in Lagrasse.

Lagrasse covered market.

Where we had lunch in Lagrasse. It's not easy being us.

The local terroir.

"Home, James—er Rick."