Montpellier to Sete and Fontfroide Abbey: Day trip

Dating back to 1093, Fontfroide Abbey was built upon the local source Fons Frigidus 'the Cold Fountain' from which it takes its name. It was designed as a monastic complex that would accommodate all daily activities of the simple life of the monks; the church and the cloister for prayer, the scriptorium and the gardens for work, and the dormitories for resting. In 1908, after centuries of being maintained by the monks, the place was bought in an auction by the painter Gustave Fayet and his wife, who commenced an extensive restoration. They also commissioned artworks such as the paintings from Odilon Redon decorating the library and the stained glass windows by René Billa in the dormitory of the lay brothers. Today, the abbey houses a restaurant and cellar with locally-produced wines and regular tasting sessions.