Wine tasting at Valmagne Abbey

  • Dégustation de vin à l’abbaye de Valmagne
  • Dégustation de vin à l’abbaye de Valmagne
  • Dégustation de vin à l’abbaye de Valmagne
  • Dégustation de vin à l’abbaye de Valmagne
  • Dégustation de vin à l’abbaye de Valmagne
  • Dégustation de vin à l’abbaye de Valmagne
Dégustation de vin à l’abbaye de ValmagneDégustation de vin à l’abbaye de ValmagneDégustation de vin à l’abbaye de ValmagneDégustation de vin à l’abbaye de ValmagneDégustation de vin à l’abbaye de ValmagneDégustation de vin à l’abbaye de Valmagne
Whether you are looking for the perfect gift or the wine that will go perfectly with your food at Christmas, you will make a great discovery this winter in the Thau Archipelago thanks to the wine tasting at Valmagne Abbey, preceded by a visit to the historic monument. And if you're still hesitating, let us convince you with our article dedicated to this unmissable stage of our destination!  
  • - © Office de Tourisme Archipel de Thau

A little history


Founded in 1139, Valmagne Abbey can boast many assets: "one of the most beautiful Cistercian abbeys in France"; "one of the best preserved examples of Cistercian art"; "one of the oldest vineyards in the Languedoc"; "the cathedral of wines"...

But what makes its richness above all is its history, the traces of which can be found in its 29m high central nave, in its nine chapels, in its Romanesque cloister or in the paths of its medieval garden. The abbey's winegrowing past can be seen in the abbey's cellar room, its conservatory of grape varieties and its tasting cellar.

Today, Thomas, Eleonor and Romand d'Allaines perpetuate a history and know-how that has been in their family for nine generations! 
  • - © Office de Tourisme Archipel de Thau

The visit


If you don't want to miss any of the secret corners of the building and the anecdotes that punctuate each room, opt for a guided tour of Valmagne Abbey with one of the guides. For an hour, you will travel through time and more precisely through the history of the historic monument, but also through that of the owner family.

At any time of the day, during the abbey's opening hours, you can choose to take a self-guided tour to suit your own pace. You will find explanatory signs along the way. You can also take an audio guide with you or download two free applications to learn more about the history of the abbey (izi.travel) and the biodiversity of the gardens (explorama).

The choice is yours to discover Valmagne Abbey, either on your own or with a guide! 

The tasting


At the end of your visit to Valmagne Abbey, don't miss the free wine tasting... The ideal way to put into practice the theory you have learned during your journey through time.
It is in the tasting cellar that you will be expected to make your choice from the range of white, red or rosé wines produced on three different terroirs:  
  • the IGP on silt/clay-limestone soils giving fruity wines.  
  • AOP Languedoc on chalky hillside soils giving more structured, digestible and aromatic wines.  
  • AOP Languedoc Grès de Montpellier, giving wines of great finesse and ageing potential.  
For about 30 minutes, you will learn to discern all the possible colours, but also how this vineyard created in 1139 and its 35 hectares managed in organic agriculture, with bio-dynamic inspirations since 1999, gives so much diversity of terroirs all around the abbey. Don't miss the regular wine workshops with members of the d'Allaines family who look after the vineyards of Valmagne Abbey.  
  • - © Office de Tourisme Archipel de Thau

What you need to know


Valmagne Abbey is not just about its history and its wines... It also produces home-brewed, top-fermented beers and other spirits and digestives derived from wine. There is also a shop where you can find wines, books, monastic products and a restaurant.

After your tasting tour, visit the Valmagne Abbey farmhouse and discover a gourmet cuisine using vegetables from the garden and meat from local producers, all homemade and of course accompanied by the estate's wines.