The cloister dates from the 12th century, as does the chapter house, reflecting Romanesque architecture at its finest.

Building work is interrupted at the beginning of the 13th century as Fontfroide lies just within the area of influence of the catharsis movement. The monastery becomes a centre of orthodoxy. The murder in 1208 of Pierre de Castelnau, a Fontfroide monk and legate to Pope Innocence III, leads to the crusade against the Albigensian order. After peace has been restored, construction work is resumed. The cloister is raised and vaulted.

The importance of Fontfroide soon dominates the entire region; it reaches as far as Catalonia. Under the protectorate of the dukes of Barcelona, a filial monastery is founded in Poblet. The significance of Fontfroide continues until the middle of the 14th century. Two abbots from the monastery achieve most superior positions: Arnaud Nouvel is appointed cardinal, chancellor of the church and eventually papal legate in the process against the Templars. Jacques Fournier gains historic importance as Pope Benót XII.

 

 

 

 In 1348, the Black Death hits Fontfroide which does not recover from the loss of three quarters of its brotherhood.

The immense wealth of the monastery causes greed, and in 1476, Fontfroide is put under prebend. During the 17th and in particular the 18th centuries, the abbots and priors rebuild many of the buildings: The dormitory for the lay brothers is converted into a guest wing. A lodging for the abbot and an orangery surround the inner court, and an elegant wall is build in the courtyard. Terrassed gardens are laid out, and a large gate secludes this small community from the outside world.

 

 

 

 

 The last monks leave Fontfroide in 1791. The chaos of the revolution does not cause any major damage to the monastery, and in 1858, monastic life is resumed when a small community of monks from Sénaque settles at Fontfroide. The last abbot, Père Jean, widely revered as a saint, dies in 1895. The 1901 law ruling religious denominations finally puts an end to monastic life. The last monks flee to Spain, and the building and grounds are left uninhabited until 1908. In an auction, dedicated supporters of the arts and architecture acquire Fontfroide and thus rescue the monastery from decay.

Extensive restoration work ensues: Stained-glass church windows are fitted, artistic wrought-iron work decorates the window apertures. Statues and bas-reliefs decorate the walls and the gardens.

The rose garden set up in 1990 with more than 3000 rose trees forms a counterpoint to the colour of the stones.