This serene Cistercian abbey is one of the loveliest in the Gers département. Founded in 1151 and guarded by a 14th-century fortress door, it was abandoned after the Revolution but the building is remarkably well preserved. Among the rooms on show are the monks' cloister and refectory, and there's a herb garden out the back. On the 2nd floor, the sleeping cells host a superb collection of paintings, including works by Toulouse-Lautrec, Cézanne and Renoir. It's near Valence-sur-Baïse, 10km south of Condom.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Château du Busca Maniban

2.95 MILES

This magnificent château, 10km south of Condom on the D229, has been distilling Armagnac since the mid-17th century. It's not the place for a guided…

2. Marché au Gras

4.67 MILES

Stock up on local produce like homemade jams, cheeses, liqueur-steeped pâté and bottles of Armagnac at this twice-weekly food market.

3. Cathédrale St-Pierre

4.7 MILES

The foundations of this formidable cathedral date back to 1011, when the site hosted a Benedictine abbey. The cathedral was rebuilt in Flamboyant Gothic…

4. Musée de l'Armagnac

4.76 MILES

Located in a turn-of-the-century cellar, this museum is dedicated to the fine art of Armagnac production; it houses a modest collection of vintage bottles…

6. Les Jardins de Coursiana

8.49 MILES

These landscaped gardens in La Romieu were laid out in 1974 by a local agricultural engineer. More than 700 trees and rare plants flourish in the four…

7. Collégiale St-Pierre

8.88 MILES

A twin-towered medieval church and cloisters is the focal point of tiny La Romieu, 12km northeast of Condom. This lonely village outpost first sprang up…

8. Fourcès

10.06 MILES

Some 13km northwest of Condom, Fourcès (the 's' is pronounced) is a picturesque bastide (fortified town) on the River Auzoue. The village's well-preserved…