The Cistercian Abbey of Fontfroide, in Aude, reopened its doors to the public on May 19. A moment that coincides with the flowering of its rose garden, which attracts tourists every year.
From white to red, passing through yellow, purple, orange and pink, the color chart of the roses is admirable this spring in Fontfroide. It echoes the hues of the sandstone of the thousand-year-old abbey, nestled in the heart of the Corbières, which reopened its doors to visitors on May 19. The date of deconfinement coincides with the flowering of its rose garden, one of the key moments for tourists each year. They come to admire the 1,500 shrubs and their 18 varieties, whose buds generally hatch between the end of May and the beginning of June.
A parterre created in 1990, following a competition, and carefully maintained since by the gardeners. “It’s part of Fontfroide’s business card. It always attracts people, confirms Frédéric Sanche, the head gardener. The roses were chosen for their resistance to drought, to diseases, for their fragrance too. be as consistent as possible with the environment. “
The Abbey of Fontfroide and its rose garden.
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The rose garden is one of the places not to be missed at the Abbey of Fontfroide. Its cloister, dating from the 12th and 13th century, and its abbey with colored stained glass windows, are just as important. The site attracted around 130,000 visitors per year, before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. During its closure, the cistercian abbey has continued to live, maintaining its gardens, changing its signage and maintaining the link with its visitors on social networks. Work has been carried out to renovate the roof and improve the internet network. The store has also been redone.
All activities maintained this summer
The reopening to the public is carried out in compliance with health rules. The abbey has adhered to the health quality charter “Aude, serene vacations”, initiated by the ADT (Tourism Development Agency) of the Department. The gauge of the number of visitors has been reduced in the rooms and in the groups for guided tours (30 maximum). These will start from June. The two restaurant terraces have also opened.
“We were delighted to restart our activity,” says Rogier Fackelday, the communications manager. “Especially since all of the activities will be maintained.” The first planned event, the “Rendez-vous aux jardins”, is scheduled for the weekend of June 5 and 6, from 10 am to 6 pm. This is a European event, initiated by the Ministry of Culture and Communication, which will address the theme of the environment and biodiversity in Fontfroide, through conferences, activities for children and adults. , and walks in the massif. Then, on June 26 and 27, make way for the “arts and crafts of yesteryear”, with workshops from the Middle Ages and a falconry show.
The highlight of the summer will be the 15th edition of the “Music and History” festival, from July 13 to 18, under the direction of Jordi Savall. World music concerts, organized in the abbey church and in the Louis XIV courtyard.
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