HISTORY
Crossing the ages
Lords of cabrières
1139 – 1159
The construction
The Abbey of Valmagne was founded in 1139 by the powerful lords of Cabrières. They called upon the Benedictine monks of the monastery of Ardorel (diocese of Albi).
This foundation was immediately confirmed by Raymond Trencavel, son of Bernard Aton IV, founder of Ardorel.
In 1159, the abbey is attached to the order of Cîteaux and becomes daughter of Bonnevaux (Dauphiné). From this date onwards, construction will begin on the church and cloister in the Romanesque style, based on the Cistercian design.
St. Mary of Valmagne
12th to 14th
Heyday
From the 12th to the 14th century, Sainte-Marie de Valmagne was one of the richest abbeys in the south of France.
It was during this period of prosperity (from 1257 onwards) that the new Gothic church was built.
The first Romanesque church had become too small to accommodate the ever-growing community.
Religion
14th century
Religious wars
After a period of expansion and wealth, the Abbey was confronted with the Hundred Years’ War and the Wars of Religion.
Badly damaged, it took more than two centuries to regain its former splendour.
But the Revolution struck an Abbey that was already in decline.
The last monks fled in 1789 and Valmagne was ransacked.
Vincent Concomblet of Saint Séverin
1575
Massacre
of the monks
In 1575, the commendatory abbot of Valmagne, Vincent Concomblet of Saint Séverin, passes into the camp of the Reformed and returns with an army of peasants to seat his own abbey. During this attack, the monks are murdered and the places ransacked. Valmagne will remain deserted during forty years and will become a den of brigands.
It will be necessary to await the beginning of the XVIIe century so that the monks return and begin to revive the monastery. This reorganisation will last nearly a century.
Reconstruction
17th and 18th
Renaissance
The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries are more clement for Valmagne thanks to the arrival of a new commendatory abbot, Cardinal Pierre de Bonzi, who will turn Valmagne into an episcopal palace and restore its past splendor.
Abbey and vineyard
1791–1838
The Transformation
On the eve of the French Revolution the Abbey is highly indebted, there are only five monks left in a community that had counted more than two hundred at its peak. They will flee to Spain in 1791 taking with them the last goods of the Abbey. The monastery is plundered by the revolutionary peasants and becomes, after that, National property.
The Abbey and its estate are sold to Mr. Granier-Joyeuse, a viticulturist from Villeveyrac who will transform the abbey church into a cellar. At his death, Valmagne is put back on sale and will be bought by the Count of Turenne in 1838.
Family history
1838 – 2020
From generation
to generation
Since 1838, Valmagne Abbey has been passed down from generation to generation. Today, it belongs to the Gaudart d’Allaines family, the current descendants of the Comte de Turenne.
The house opened to the public in 1975, when Diane d’Allaines, the current owner, decided to open the doors of her home in the hope of raising some money to begin restoring the building.
Her son, Philippe d’Allaines, joined her in 1991 and continued the family winemaking tradition. In 1999, he decided to convert the Valmagne vineyard to organic farming.
In 2010, Laurence d’Allaines, Philippe’s wife, joined the adventure and created the inn and restaurant, developing all the recipes. She created the vegetable garden and orchard.
Today, it is Roland and Eleonor d’Allaines, Philippe’s children, who are continuing the work of their parents and grandparents.
