Lagrasse ― Benedictine Abbey

Lagrasse, renowned in the Corbières, nestles in the valley of the River Orbieu. There are gorges, fertile valleys, and hills, and the 'garrigue' with a bewildering array of fresh herbs.

The Benedictine abbey, set in the valley in which Lagrasse is situated, is linked to the town by a superb 12^th Century bridge across the River Orbieu. In the fortified medieval village with its cobbled streets, there are many fascinating and historical things to see ― The Market Hall, The church. In the area surrounding Lagrasse there are 'châteaux' and 'domaines', where you can find and sample, some of the best wines of the Languedoc. You may then want to partake of them yet again, whilst you indulge in the age-old French pastime of people watching - from your dinner table at one of the many village restaurants in the mottled shade provided by the old plane trees.

The Abbey's rapid growth was due to the many gifts it received both of money and land. This prosperity and the important geographical position of the Abbey between France and Spain, meant that the Abbots could play a major role in the religious and political affairs of the Midi.

The legacy of building the Abbey over many centuries (the 11^th to the 18^th), is a wide range of architectural styles which may be seen today. The Abbey is open everyday. For further information you can telephone the Abbey on 04·68·43·15·99 or 04·68·43·10·05 (country code : 33). The guided tour lasts about forty minutes.

The above four photos show, (clockwise): The Village Church ― the fine architectural details on a carved pillar head The Cemetery decorated with flowers in observance of All Saints day (November 1) ― & The Village Market hall dating back to antiquity. Below : the Abbey Tower