During my previous visit to Lagrasse, one of France’s most beautiful villages in the Aude department, I went to the former Lord Abbot’s residence in the Abbaye Sainte-Marie l’Orbie. This time, I would like to take you to the private part of the abbey. Since 2004, a monastic community of canons regular live here permanently. Every day, they open their doors in the afternoon to welcome visitors.
Canons regular
The Abbaye Sainte-Marie was split into two separate parts at the end of the 18th century. Therefore, there are two independent entrances. Here you can read about my visit to the former Lord Abbot’s palace, which is public and owned by the Aude department. The private part is where the monastic community of the canons regular live. You can visit parts of this private section daily (apart from Thursdays) from 15h15 to 17h25 between mid-April to mid-November. The entrance is free, however the canons regular do appreciate a voluntary donation. Upon reservation, it is also possible to do a guided visit by a canon.
Benedictine Rule
The founding date of the Abbaye Sainte-Marie is 779, when the future emperor Charlemagne- or Charles the Great- gave a privilege charter to Lagrasse’s first known abbot, Nimfridus. Charlemagne wanted to establish numerous catholic abbeys in the region. The one in Lagrasse was one of the most important monasteries in the South of France. Abbot Nimfridus was the first abbot in a line of 59 successors until the French revolution in 1789. As he was friends with Benedict of Aniane, he followed the Benedictine Rule written in 516 by Benedict of Nursia. The Abbaye Sainte-Marie knew a prosperous period between the 9th and 12th centuries when many donations of assets and land were made. However, times changed in the 12th and especially the 13th century. The popularity of the Cistercian, Dominican and Franciscan Orders overtook the Benedictine abbey and left it isolated.
Canons regular
Wars marked the following centuries until the arrival of the Maurist Benedictines in the 18th century. They constructed several buildings in classical style, integrating with the medieval, gothic and roman architecture already present. By the time of the French revolution, there were only 14 monks left, though. As a result, the abbey was declared national property in 1796. It was sold at an auction in two separate parts to solve the financial crisis caused by the revolution. This division remains to this day. In 2004, the current monastic community brought back life into the abbey. Canons regular live in a community under a rule, and the 39 members in Lagrasse follow the Rule of Saint Augustin. I entered their part of the abbey via the impressive court of honour. From here, I could visit the cloister with its beautiful central garden, the abbey’s church and the 16th century steeple tower.
