The Cistercian Abbey of Flaran
Founded in 1151 in the Baïse Valley (Grand Site Occitanie), the Abbaye Cistercienne de Flaran is one of the best-preserved abbeys of south-west France.
The Cistercian Abbey of Flaran – beautifully renovated and beautifully preserved !
Founded in 1151 in the Baïse Valley (Grand Site Occitanie), the Abbaye Cistercienne de Flaran is one of the best-preserved abbeys of south-west France. It was built in several stages between the 12th and 18th centuries. This jewel of Cistercian art is 1.5km from the bastide of Valence sur Baïse in Armagnac.
The well- preserved cloister and church (12 – 13th century) covering more than 2,000m² allow us to better understand the Cistercian community who settled there in the Middle Ages when the Order was in its heyday.
The Abbey had a turbulent history and was finally bought by the Département du Gers in 1972. Since then it has been the subject of an intense restoration campaign and has become a Heritage and Cultural Centre for exhibitions and classical music concerts. Themed workshops are also run for all ages.
Little extra : During the (French) school holidays, there is a discovery trail for children to explore the Abbaye de Flaran in a different way. A children’s area with colouring activity linked to the exhibition and a fun booklet ""Cherche La Petite Bête"" allow children to learn while having fun.
The abbey and its incredible art collection !
The monastery buildings (church, cloister, chapter house, refectory, dormitory, abbot’s house) and the gardens are all revealed in the course of the visit.
During your visit, you will discover an exceptional collection of masterpieces by artists from 16th to 20th centuries (Cézanne, Renoir, Matisse, Picasso, Monet, Braque, Tiepolo, Rubens, Courbet, Rodin...) on an amazing journey through European artistic movements. Temporary exhibitions and workshops are also scheduled, so don’t hesitate to check the Abbey programme.
A visitor says : « We have been here twice : once to take part in a medieval cookery workshop with a wonderful, enthusiastic specialist, the second time to see the Abbey and its unbelievable art collection : the Simonow collection which features works by Claudel, Renoir, Monet, Dali, etc. is truly magnificent. The Abbey itself is very impressive. Events (like the cookery workshop and ""the little zoo"") make the place a fun venue for children. Don’t miss it if you are in the region !».
If you’re feeling peckish near the Abbey, the Ferme de Flaran offers traditional Gers dishes based around duck. If you prefer a picnic, you can eat on the grass next to the car park under the lime trees, beside the canal (2 stone tables, no seats) .
You can buy delicious Gers produce at the traditional Wednesday morning market at Valence-sur-Baise.
Round and about the Abbaye de Flaran :
- Condom, sous-prefecture of Gers, ancient episcopal town, Cathedral of Saint-Pierre, Cloister.
- Château de Cassaigne offers wine cellar tours and tasting sessions of Armagnac, Floc, Prunes in Armagnac, etc.
- The pretty bastide of Montréal-du-Gers.
- The Villa Gallo-Romaine de Séviac, a journey back into Roman times ;
- Explore the rolling countryside on a walk along the GR Cœur de Gascogne hiking path.
- Ecuries d’Armagnac - a centre for horse riding enthusiasts.
- Have fun canoeing or kayaking on the River Baïse starting from Beaucaire or Condom.
- The numerous wine-growers in the sector who belong to the Bienvenue à la Ferme network offer vineyard and wine cellar visits where you can taste their local produce (wine, Floc, Armagnac). For delicious dishes based on duck or goose, book a table at the Ferme-Auberge du Cassou, you won’t be disappointed, or visit the Ferme de Martin Neuf farm and shop at Condom.
Top tip from Camille from Gîtes de France, Gers :
« What I love best at the Abbaye de Flaran is the amazing art collection, the tranquil atmosphere and the magnificent, well-kept gardens. »
To get to Flaran by car, take the A62 autoroute which runs from Bordeaux to Toulouse, then follow signs for Valence-sur-Baïse. Flaran is 35km from Auch (35 minutes by car), 9km from Condom (12 minutes by car). The nearest airport Toulouse-Blagnac (1½ hours by car), follow signs for Auch, then Condom or Abbaye de Flaran.
Open every day
1 February – 30 June, 1 September – beginning of January : 09.30 – 12.30, 14.00 – 18.00.
1 July – 31 August : 09.30 – 19.00.
Closed 1 January, 1 May, 25 December. Closed for 3 weeks every January.
Free admission on 1st Sunday of every month from November to March inclusive.
Admission : 5€ (entry to abbey and all exhibitions). Under 18s : free.
Reduced admission : 2€
Groups with guide : 2.50€ (minimum of 15 people), reservation required 2 weeks beforehand
SatNav : Latitude : 48.862725 Longitude : 2.287592000000018"
