ABBEY OF SAINTE-MARIE-D'ORBIEU

The Abbey of Lagrasse, which communicates with the village via two bridges over the Orbieu, including a magnificent ^11th-century donkey-back bridge, was founded in the ^8th century. Its charter, drawn up on January 19, 779, the date of its foundation by Charlemagne, grants it immunity and privileges. The document states that Abbot Nimphridius and his companions had erected a church, built buildings, cultivated fields and planted vines. This document suggests that this was the site of an ancient monastery. From the ^9th to the ^10th century, the monastery, which had benefited from restoration during the Carolingian period, underwent prodigious development and grew richer thanks to donations from powerful lords, as attested by the recording of a deed from the year 951. Its patrimony then extended to Roussillon and the diocese of Urgel. At the beginning of the ^12th century, with the support of the papacy, the abbey's holdings extended from the Lower Languedoc to Saragossa, and included around a hundred churches and nearly ten monasteries. The abbey's political influence was most evident during the crusade against the Albigensians. Benoît d'Alignan, abbot of Lagrasse from 1224 to 1230, acted as a mediator between the occupiers and the occupied. It was he who received the submission of the "Cathars" of Carcassonne to the King of France. Lagrasse Abbey reached its apogee at the end of the ^12th century under the leadership of Auger de Gogenx, abbot from 1279 to 1309. It was to this reformer, who drew up a substantial statute in 1296, that we owe the majority of the complex's medieval buildings, in particular the reconstruction of the dormitory and the abbot's palace. The first part of the ^13th century was a century of crisis for the abbey, due to a reduction in the Templars' endowments. In 1348, an epidemic of the Black Death claimed the lives of most of the inhabitants. During the troubles of the Hundred Years' War, Lagrasse's influence and wealth declined. Nevertheless, in 1363, Abbot Guy du Breuil, author of a reform of the monastery, seemed to have sufficient resources at his disposal, since a number of works were carried out, such as the repair of the water intake of the Orbieu diversion canal, to enable the monastery to be supplied with water. The early ^16th century was marked by the abbatiate of Philippe de Levis, who commissioned the installation of a very large chimney in the abbot's palace. He was also responsible for the monumental 81-meter bell tower to the south of the abbey church's transept. The half of the tower visible today remains the abbey's most imposing feature. The ^17th century was marked by a religious revival, with the introduction in 1662 of the Saint Maur reform, albeit not readily accepted by some ecclesiastics. Abbot Armand Bazin de Bezons initiated a final period of economic prosperity in the ^18th century, during which the monks completed most of the classical buildings. 64 abbots succeeded one another from the ^8th to the ^18th century, playing an active role in the religious and economic life of Languedoc and Catalonia. On August 29, 1792, following the French Revolution, the community of a dozen monks was evicted against the wishes of the villagers, and the abbey was sealed off. The looted and partially vandalized abbey was sold at auction, split into two lots in 1796, one of which was bought by the Berlioz family.

The Abbey was divided into two independent parts. The public part essentially comprises rooms dating back to medieval times, on the first floor and^1st floor. In all, some ten areas are open to visitors wishing to learn more about the daily life of monks in this period, including: the abbot's apartments (also known as the abbot's palace), the communal dormitory, the courtyard of the abbot's palace, the cellar, the chapel (whose mural depicts the Last Judgement), the sacristy, etc. Those taking part in an individual tour of the public section will benefit from a number of resources to complement their exploration of the abbey. Throughout the tour, you'll find tour desks where you can learn more about the areas explored. Two films, one of which traces the history of the abbey from its foundation to the present day, are also on permanent display. Ahead of your visit, don't forget to download the tourist booklet (available in several languages) from the abbey's website: www.abbayedelagrasse.aude.fr. Punctuated with anecdotes, it includes a map and detailed information on the different areas you'll be discovering. Each room is color-coded to indicate its era.

Complete your visit by exploring the Abbey's boutique and independent bookshop. Located at the heart of the monument's reception area, the Arts de lire bookshop is one of the largest in the département, with the aim of sharing the wealth of books and thought with a wide public.

Finally, take advantage of the abbey's outdoor spaces to soak up the atmosphere. The Bistrot littéraire offers light meals and drinks to be enjoyed on the shady terrace or inside the small café de Pays.