Almost 900 years ago almost in the midst between Béziers and Montpellier the abbey Sainte-Marie de Valmagne was founded and thrived for the next centuries. Of course after 1789 the abbey was desecrated and became a state property. Nevertheless the abbey was preserved and sonn became a famous vineyard.
It is a historic landmark attracting lots of tourists as well as oenophiles. A tour of the abbey always will lead to the wine shop … at the end …
However, let’s start with some views of the garden and the cloister where you may admire the lavish design which is in its original layout from the centuries ago. (Of course during the centuries there were renovations and extensions …)
It’s quite a long way walking once around the refreshing green garden …
There are many details hidden in this part of the abbey. Also there are adjoining premises.
Entering the grounds of the abbey you’ll find the main entrance which leads to former abbey church, an impressive work of art and … today also lusciousness.
Well … the abbey was desecrated more than 200 years ago – so what happened to the abbey church? The abbey church became a cathedral of wine – the wine cellar was established hosting giant wooden wine barrels.
When leaving the abbey church you may get a glimpse of stored wine bottles … of course the bottles in the wine shop are not so dusty!
