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In 1139 Raymond Trencavel,
Viscount of B�ziers founded the Abbey of Valmagne in the Parish of
Villeveyrac, near the port of M�ze on the "Bassin de Thau". From the
XII th. to the XIII th. Century, Valmagne was one of the richest abbeys
in South of France. |
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Originally Valmagne was founded under Benedictine order
but, in 1159, the monks joined the Cistercian
movement.
The early days of the abbey constituted a period of great prestige,
growing wealth and expansion, and then Valmagne suffered from the
effect of the Hundred Years Wars, and later of the Religious Wars.
The attack of the Hugenots in 1575, organised by Valmagne's own abbot,
gone into the Reformation, was a real disaster. Badly damaged, all
the stained glass of the roses and clerestories were for ever broken,
and the abbey needed the next two centuries to recover some of its
original splendour.
At the Revolution in 1789, the last five monks fled just ahead of
rebellious peasants who invaded and ransacked the abbey, burning precious
documents, funiture and works of art. Confiscated as a national property,
the abbey was sold in 1791 to Mr Granier - Joyeuse who turned the
church into a vine cellar, with addition of big vats in the nave and
absidals chapels, preventing by this use this magnificent edifice
from becoming a stone quarry, as so many abbeys.
The 29 th. of July 1838, following the death of Mr. Granier, the abbey
and its dependencies were sold, this time, to the Count de Turenne,
and still remains in the possession of his descendants.
The actual church in classical Gothic style
was begun in 1257 on the foundations of the original Romanesque chapel,
which had become too small for the ever-increasing number of monks.
Inspired from the great cathedrals of the North of France; it has
83 meters long and 24 meters high.
The cloister has the exquisite charm of the Tuscany's garden, with
the Chapter House and its ribbed voult, witness of the presence of
the monks since the XII th. century, and its elegant and magnificent
fountain bringing the most pure and fresh water from the spring of
Diane.
Open to the public since 1975, Valmagne is well known to all archaeologists
and lovers of old monuments. The restoration of the abbey is permanent,
new bells have been put back in the steeple. The owners have won many
prices in recognition for the work done to restore the Abbey.
Classed as Historical Monument the site is open to the visit
every day in summer and the afternoon in winter.
Information :
Tel : 00 33 (0)4 67 78 06 09 or 00 33 (0)4 67 78 47 32
After the visit of the Abbey, take a walk in
the very interesting Medieval Garden.
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