Visit Fontfroide Abbey during your camping holiday
Originally Benedictine, Fontfroide Abbey dates back to the 11th century, before joining the Cistercian order in the 12th century. It then became an important spiritual centre and a stronghold of Catholicism in the region, playing a notable role during the Albigensian Crusade. After the French Revolution, the monastery was gradually abandoned until it was bought at the beginning of the 20th century by Gustave Fayet, an artist and patron of the arts, who undertook its restoration and gave it a new artistic and cultural life.
You can admire various well-preserved Romanesque buildings and walk through the luminous cloister, the monks' former walking path. The monastery has a beautiful, colourful and fragrant rose garden where you can take a walk and a gourmet restaurant. It has been listed as a historical monument since 1862.
An immersive visit combining heritage, art and nature
Beyond its remarkable architecture, Fontfroide Abbey offers a truly memorable visitor experience. Visitors are free to explore the different areas—the cloister, abbey church, monks' quarters and terraced gardens—with the help of explanatory displays that provide insight into the history and daily life of the Cistercian monks.
Guided tours are also available to help visitors explore the site in greater depth and gain a better understanding of the different periods that have marked its evolution, particularly the artistic transformation undertaken in the early 20th century by Gustave Fayet.
A vibrant cultural venue near Narbonne
Today, the abbey is not limited to its historical heritage. It regularly hosts concerts, cultural events and artistic performances that bring the site to life throughout the year, with a particularly rich programme during the summer season. Between Mediterranean nature and heritage, the visit can easily be incorporated into a day trip from the campsites of Narbonne or the Aude coast.
Which campsite to stay in?
To help you organise your visit to Fontfroide Abbey and your stay at a campsite in the Aude, we have selected some campsites in Narbonne.
Staying at a campsite near Narbonne makes it easy to include a visit to Fontfroide Abbey in your holiday plans, alternating between cultural discoveries, nature walks in the surrounding mountains and moments of relaxation on the nearby Mediterranean coast.
Practical information:
Open all year round except 25 December and 1 January.
Opening hours: Fontfroide Abbey is open every day of the year (except in exceptional circumstances). Opening hours vary according to the season, generally between 9.30am and 7pm in summer and between 10.30am and 5pm in winter. Last admission is approximately 30 minutes before closing time.
2026 Prices: Self-guided tour: Adults: €14, Young people (6 to 25 years old): €10, Family package (2 adults + 2 children): €42
Guided tour: Adults: €17.50, Young people (aged 6 to 25) + people with reduced mobility: €12, Family pass (2 adults + 2 children): €51.
Contact details:
Departmental road 613
11100 Narbonne
Tel. +33 (0)4 68 45 11 08
Website: fontfroide.com