Lagrasse, in the Corbières hills, has a foundation charter dated 779 and was the leading Benedictine house of the Aude. Since the Revolution it has been split in two: the département owns the part visited by tourists, and since 2004 a young community of canons has lived in the other part and is rebuilding it.
What it needs
The canons' restoration program covers the bell tower, the partly destroyed Gothic abbey church and other historic buildings. The south transept was finished in December 2025; restoration of the side aisle is ready to start, while a dig is awaited for the archaeologically sensitive façade. The program began in 2018 and is expected to run until at least 2029.
Before you act. The canons publish no target or running total, so the size of the remaining need is unconfirmed. There are two owners and two appeals: the canons' foundation, linked here, and the département's collection for the north transept at the Fondation du patrimoine. American donors can give through American Friends of L'Abbaye de Lagrasse.
Last checked 9 November 2026. Parts of this entry could not be fully confirmed; see the note above. Responsible body: Fondation de l'Abbaye de Lagrasse (sheltered by the Fondation Notre Dame).
The Définitoire was damaged by fire in the 19th century, is largely disused and is described by the Fondation du patrimoine as in a state of peril; walls and roof come first. Once saved it is to house a study and research center holding the archives of the order, plus exhibition space. Works began in March 2025 and the donation drive is under half way to its target.
On the morning of 2 November 2025 a fire gutted the main building, leaving only walls and a few vaults and destroying the original timber roof and painted beams. The owners first need to protect the exposed masonry, then rebuild frame and roof. Insurance is capped, so the Fondation du patrimoine opened an emergency collection.
