Abbaye de Frontfroide, a photo from Languedoc-Roussillon, South

Photographer's Note

Together with Said (didi) we did a visit to the huge former abbaye of Frontfroide. Also part of my interest in the Cathar history a 'must' to visit. As it has been private owned since app. 1908 - and even with honour to their restauration works there is no doubt that the abbaye today is a 'tourist-trap', high priced to visit and with a restaurant in the lead pricewise.

The grey weather during our visit made it actual again to use the HDR tech in an attempt to avoid the washed out sky. This presentation of the abbaye is shot from the first floor overlooking the tower and inner garden. 3 photos bracketed, combined in Photomatix, PP in Paintshop pro.

History of the Abbey of Fontfroide
The Abbey of Fontfroide was founded as a Benedictine abbey in 1093 and affiliated with the Cistercians in 1145. Construction on the church began soon after.

The cloisters and chapter house date from the 12th century and are excellent examples of Romanesque architecture. The monastery flourished and soon became a center of orthodoxy.

However, construction of Fontfroide was temporarily interrupted by the turmoil of the Cathar wars. It was the murder in 1208 of Pierre de Castelnau, a Fontfroide monk and legate to Pope Innocent III, that led to the Albigensian Crusade.

After peace was restored, construction on Fontfroide Abbey continued. The influence of Fontfroide soon dominated the entire region, all the way to Catalonia, and a daughter monastery was founded in Poblet.

Two Fontfroide monks in particular gained great fame: Arnaud Nouvel was appointed cardinal, chancellor of the church and eventually papal legate in the proceedings against the Templars. Another Fontfroide monk became Pope Benoìt XII.

In 1348, the Black Death reached Fontfroide Abbey and three-quarters of the monks were lost. In 1476, the wealthy monastery was put under prebend.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, abbots of Fontfroide rebuilt many of the monastic buildings and added new features including an orange grove, terraced garden, an elegant wall in the courtyard, and a large gate.

The last of the monks left Fontfroide in 1791, but the abbey was not damaged during the Revolution. In 1858 it became a functioning abbey once again when a small community of monks from Sénaque moved in.

Ref:http://www.sacred-destinations.com/
france/narbonne-abbey-fontfroide.htm

Muse, ChrisJ, papagolf21, jhm, quetzal, DINOZOR, Xalkida, siolaw, Guenther, JCG, Jean-Luc, bazal, stego, kevinos has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bantonbuju (51815) 2006-10-04 4:39

hi jack,
after the journey in remote norge you take us to the old french architecture, and it is a worth trying journey, i may see: this way of composing the image resulted in creating an impression as if the castle was even larger than it is in reality;
i like high contrast and "deressing" tones of this image,
bw, j.

Muse (35030) 2006-10-04 4:46

Hello Jack,
Very pretty sight of this beautiful abbey.
A perfect framing and a very clear photograph on which one can admire all the details of this architecture.
A gray sky but of pretty colors
Best regards
Denise

ChrisJ (171822) 2006-10-04 5:34

Hello Jack

Good pov. I like the square shaped forecourt. Excellent sharpness & lighting. Tfs!

Kenny10pin (19301) 2006-10-04 6:18

great history, I havent seen anything like this until now, very nice work and great details too here, wel done

jasmis (58653) 2006-10-04 6:44

I visited Narbonne many times, but never been to this abbey, alas. Fine shot. Regards.

PixelTerror (0) 2006-10-04 6:56

Hei Jack,
I think your HDR worked out quite well on that one, like the PoV with the lines converging the the rising structure and this sort of warm glow radiating from the stones. As news fly fast I'm looking forward to meeting you in Motiers.
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

papagolf21 (152607) 2006-10-04 8:11

Bonjour Jack,
Superbe représentation de l'Abbaye de Fontfroide. Je ne savais pas que l'on pouvait accéder aux terrasses pour pouvoir prendre une photographie (autorisation particulière ?).
Malgré le ciel gris, la couleur ressort merveilleusement.
Un vrai régal.
Amitiés.
Philippe

gilou530 (34) 2006-10-04 12:15

salut jack
cette abbaye ressort bien avec ce ciel gris, le contraste est bon, la note compléte et dire que je n'ai jamais visité cette abbaye.
amitiés
gilbert

Didi (61589) 2006-10-04 12:26

Ha ha ha ! Je ne suis pas passé par là, ce cher Jack à découvert cette terrasse pendant que je me situais dans le cloître .
C'est une bonne découverte car elle permet d'avoir une bonne vue sur l'abbaye.
Malgré le ciel couvert l'image reproduit la réalité.
En effet, je vous déconseille le restaurant où ils servent des daurades miniatures.

I did not pass by there, our dear Jack has discovered while I was down stears.
It is a good discovery because it makes it possible to have a good view on the abbey. In spite of the sky covered the image reproduces reality.
Indeed, I disadvise the restaurant to you where they serve miniature sea-bream.

quetzal (3665) 2006-10-04 15:20

Hello Jack,
This abbaye is really wonderful to visit even it is a 'tourist-trap'. Old stones ever have story.
Excellent framing and point of view.
Regards
Jean-Louis

DINOZOR (16452) 2006-10-04 16:00

Hello jack!
Bravo for this shot!
That is first time I see this abbei like that.
I like also that the weather was not fine, it's better.
Bravo.

Xalkida (11744) 2006-10-04 17:23

Hi Jack

What a great photo! The atmosphere is excellent, so impressive. Dark tones for the colors and fine "angry" sky! Wonderful!

Bluejeans (64251) 2006-10-04 18:08

Ola jack que bela foto , gostei das cor das pedras e do verde no centro, bom enquadramento .
Parabens !!!
Gonçalo

siolaw (38294) 2006-10-05 3:45

hi Jack,
A great POV to the Abbaye de Frontfroide, with superb colors, strong sharpness and actually quite a geometrical impact to the eye.. Didi brought you to an exceptionnal spot there!
TFS
LAurent

jhm (211736) 2006-10-05 7:08

Hi Jack,

You did together with Saïd a very lovely trip, we can see these beautiful old abbey in splendid roman style, also your history note is very interesting. What a lovely picture, great perspective and composition Jack!

Greetings from Belgium,
John

Dragonheart (8434) 2006-10-05 7:40

Hello Jack,
Marvelous shot, beautiful architecture, the POV is excellent, good sharpness.
Thanks for sharing
Best wishes
Vivek

jjcordier (79299) 2006-10-05 13:18

Très bel angle de vue qui permet d'apprécier la beauté de cette abbaye. Le ciel gris fait ressortir les belles couleurs chaudes de la pierre.
Amicalement
JJ

Jean-Luc (5488) 2006-10-07 4:36

Hi Jack,
Après avoir vu la photo de Saïd, j'apprécie ce complément qui nous fait admirer l'architecture de cette vieille abbaye et ce malgré le manque évident de luminosité qui aurait donné plus de chaleur vraie à la couleur de la pierre!
Merci pour ce commentaire bien documenté.
Well done
Amicalement
Jean-Luc

JCG (35153) 2006-10-07 7:14

Hi Jack,

A particular atmosphere comes out from this photo. It is really very beautiful, I like much. the point of view is splendid. The colors and this light gives life to the stone.
A great work, cheer.

Best regards,

Jean-Charles

Ulishna (2268) 2006-10-09 14:00

Hi Jack,
It's great history and great photo. Fairytale beauty...
Julia

bazal (7900) 2006-10-14 10:11

Hi Jack.
I've never visited Fontfroide, and I must confess that I was far to think it was not free entrance! It's amazing the things people do ton earn money. I hope they use it for the restauration of the monument, but is it the case?
The colors and light are really beautiful, even if the weather was far to be ideal!
Thanks for sharing.