Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Fontfroide

South-west of Narbonne, is in a rocky valley of the Corbieres that hides this magnificent Cistercian, in the valley. The abbey is nestled in the heart of a typically Mediterranean landscape dominated by cypress, pine and boxwood.
The origins of the abbey back to the late eleventh century. Having first adopted the Benedictine rule, Fontfroide joins in the middle of the twelfth century the Cistercian order. The facility received an immense wealth quickly land extending into Catalonia. Thus, from the beginning of the thirteenth century, had spread Fontfroide eight abbeys.
During the crusade against the Albigensians, Fontfroide has established itself as a bastion of Catholic orthodoxy against the Cathars fought it vigorously. Two monks were particularly illustrated Fontfroide: Pierre de Castelnau and Raoul legates were appointed by Innocent III.
Among the famous abbots, it is also worth mentioning Jacques Fournier who became Pope under the name of Benedict XII (1334-1342).
After a period of decline, Fontfroide fell in commendam from 1476 to 1764, when the abbey abbey lost his title and income related.
The conventual priors did in the eighteenth century many facilities prior to award of the establishment in 1791. Its buildings relatively preserved during the Revolution were reoccupied by the Cistercians of the Immaculate Conception from 1858 to 1901. Since 1908, the monument belongs to the same family to which we owe the general rehabilitation of Fontfroide.