ABBAYE DE VILLELONGUE

Six kilometers from the village of Saint-Martin-Le-Vieil, this former Cistercian abbey is a charming, confidential, family-run business. Built as early as 1180, the monastery was rewarded by Simon de Montfort in the early 13th century for his stand against the Cathars: he donated a large area of land to them, as well as the village of Saint-Martin. This Cistercian abbey is as appealing for its confidentiality and family atmosphere as for its calm and profound solitude: the charm of the cloister, the romanticism of the church ruins, the fine restoration of the chapter house, the presence of surprising sculptures for a daughter of Cîteaux, and the original, relaxing garden. You'll be touched by the intimacy, atmosphere and poetry of this timeless place, with its architecture and sculptures typical of the Languedoc southern Gothic style. Open from April 1 to September 30.