Nestling at the heart of the Corbières, the picturesque village of Lagrasse, classed amongst the most beautiful in France, makes a lovely picture, with its old humpback bridge over the Orbieu, its medieval houses, the remains of ancient ramparts and its abbey overlooked by an imposing bell tower. Before visiting the Abbey of St Mary of Orbieu, take a stroll in the medieval town, a place full of charm, where you can admire an old 14th-century covered market with stone pillars, art and craft shops, and a Gothic church listed as a Historic Monument.
Abbaye Sainte-Marie:
The Benedictine Abbey St. Mary's was founded in the 8th century under the protection of Charlemagne, it has grown rapidly thanks to donations from powerful lords, which had long been one of Abbey's most successful South. From the 8th to the 18th century, the 64 abbots who succeeded them participate actively in the political and religious life of the Languedoc and Catalonia. During the Revolution, the monks were driven out, the building is split when it is divided into two distinct parts. Since 2004, the abbey is reborn thanks to a new community of canons regular.
The Benedictine Abbey St. Mary's was founded in the 8th century under the protection of Charlemagne, it has grown rapidly thanks to donations from powerful lords, which had long been one of Abbey's most successful South. From the 8th to the 18th century, the 64 abbots who succeeded them participate actively in the political and religious life of the Languedoc and Catalonia. During the Revolution, the monks were driven out, the building is split when it is divided into two distinct parts. Since 2004, the abbey is reborn thanks to a new community of canons regular.
The Monastery restoration by the Canons Regular of the Mother of God, the convent buildings are spread around the courtyard of a sober classicism, whose red sandstone gives a particularly joyous brilliance. The same style, the cloister of 1760 radiates the majesty, light, space and an amazing serenity, not to be missed! The Gothic church of the 13th century, built on the foundations of a Carolingian basilica, impresses with its outstanding acoustics. The novel opens with a transept of the 11th century. A monumental bell tower, built before 1537 and ended in a crowning octagonal, is 42 meters and occasionally tours are accessed by a spiral staircase: the view is definitely worth climbing the 220 steps! Three Romanesque apses of the 11th century spread their charm on a monastic garden under development, will assess the watchful eye Lombard arches under the tiled roofs. On the course of the visit you will see a stone museum containing the famous capital, decorated with the Master of Cabestany representing Adam and Eve expelled from Paradise, a sarcophagus lid of the 6th century and the capitals of the old Gothic cloisters.
