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Valmagne
Valmagne, one of the most prestigious and well preserved Cistercian abbeys, was founded in the year 1139. The church, in the classical Gothic style, was begun in 1257 on the foundations of the original Romanesque Chapel. Inspired by the great northern cathedrals it has 83 meters long and 24 meters high. The cloister has exquisite charms of Tuscany's gardens. The Chapter house and the enchanting fountain bringing the most pure and fresh water from the spring of Diane, will drive you into the middle age History and its magnificent architecture. In the early days, Valmagne was one of the richest abbeys in the south of France, and then suffered of the effect of the hundred year's war, and later of the Religious wars. At the Revolution 1989 the last five monks fled just ahead the rebellious peasants who invaded and ransacked the abbey. Confiscated as a national property Valmagne was sold to Mr. Granier who turned the church into a wine cellar. In the 29th of July 1838, following the death of Mr Granier, the abbey and its dependencies were sold to the Count de Turenne, and still remained in the possession of his descendants who work tirelessly, by a permanent restoration, to give back the abbey its original splendour. The music festival, exhibitions, conferences, the walk in the medieval garden with medicinal ancient plants on the model of old monasteries garden's and just beside the ?Conservatoire de Cépages? which shows the different grapes used in the Cuvées of wines offered for tasting, make of Valmagne a very pleasant and enjoyable tour that cannot be ignored in Languedoc.[ Back ]