Fontfriode Abbey

The beautiful Fontfroide Abbey or l'Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Fontfroide is one of the most popular features of a visit to our Languedoc holiday villa and is a short drive from Villa La Cascade. Founded in 1093, it is nestled amongst the Corbieres hills only a few kilometres south of Narbonne and under an hour from Carcassonne. With a strong Cistercian tradition it combines great historical significance and a beautifully scenic location.

The abbey allied itself with the papacy against the heresy of the Cathars, whose Cathar castles are an enduring feature of the Languedoc countryside. For those with an interest in the history of the abbey, there is a comprehensive guided tour in French with the option of an audio book in English. The abbey also has a strong reputation for its wine and the restaurant generates good reports from our Languedoc villa guests on the quality of its food.