The incredible abbey of Valmagne

Today, we are heading for Villeveyrac! We are going to discover the "cathedral of the vineyards"...

After taking a winding country road, we arrive in Villeveyrac and see the imposing building erected in the middle of the vegetation and the vines. The closer we get, the smaller I feel in the face of such grandeur. I can't wait to discover what's behind these old stones.

Entering the abbey, we quickly find ourselves in the nave. It takes my breath away. Its size, its gothic architecture and the height of its vault create an atmosphere that commands respect. And we are not at the end of our surprises: all along the aisles of the nave there are wine casks, large barrels of several hundred hectolitres. We then understand that the history of the abbey is closely linked to that of the vines we saw on our arrival.

The visit then takes us to a cloister made up of four galleries, where the light penetrates from the abbey's garden. We walk a few more metres and find ourselves in front of a small marvel, a magnificent fountain overhung by an open dome, where vines climb. We decide to sit down for a moment to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of this place...

Our tour ends with a tasting of the abbey's wines. We learn that the vineyard, created by the Romans and then managed by Cistercian monks, is now run by the family. A nice anecdote that we will not fail to tell our friends during our next meal, uncorking a bottle that will remind us of our holidays in the sun!

As we leave the abbey to get back to our car, I can't help but look at the map of the farmhouse, located just a few meters from the monument. My mouth is watering... All the products are fresh and cooked on site, with seasonal, farm and local ingredients. The perfect excuse to come back to the abbey during our next stay in the Thau archipelago!

Practical information :

- Find here the opening hours and prices of Valmagne Abbey.
- Find here all the information on the abbey's wine restaurant.