Saint-Génis-Des-Fontaines: Abbey, Cloister and Market

Saint-Génis-des-Fontaines combines Romanesque heritage with a market, nature experiences and a range of activities for visitors. At its heart is the Benedictine abbey; the church and cloister offer different cultural and historical themes. You can also consider the weekly market, wine-related visits and outdoor activities when planning your stay. If you are looking for a hotel, it may help to decide whether architecture, market life or outdoor activities matter most to you.

Abbey and Saint-Michel Church

The Benedictine abbey was built by Sentimir in 780. The portal of Saint-Michel Church features a carved lintel that, according to an inscription, is said to date from 1019–1020. It is regarded as the oldest dated Romanesque monument in France. The church has been protected as a historic monument since the decree of 28 September 1966.

The building itself also reflects different architectural features: the abbey church has a Latin cross floor plan with strongly pronounced transepts. During a restoration in the 12th century, vaults were added to the building. Thus, the abbey’s construction, the dating of the portal and the later addition of vaults are distinct points in its history.

Cloister, Marble and Exhibitions

The cloister, built in the 13th century, is also listed as a historic monument. Its distinctive feature is its polychrome design using regional marble: white marble from Céret, pink marble from Villefranche-de-Conflent and black marble from the Corbières Roussillonnaises. In contrast to the church’s form and vaulting, the cloister draws attention to material and colour; each of the three marble tones is associated with a named place of origin.

The Galerie des deux clochers is located in the upper gallery of the cloister. It hosts exhibitions that change monthly throughout the year. The municipal cultural service and the tourist information office also welcome visitors in the cloister. The cultural service organises tours of local cultural monuments. If you plan to visit a particular exhibition or join an organised tour, check the current programme or visiting arrangements in advance.

Market and Wine

The market takes place on Tuesday and Friday mornings at Place Jean Rolland. On Fridays, the market features cheese and goose-based products; individual vendors may vary. If you are coming specifically for the market, check the current date and offerings in advance, as market arrangements may change.

Visitors can also tour the cooperative winery and the village’s wine cellars. If a visit like this is important to your trip, confirm the current visiting arrangements in advance.

Nature and Activities

The municipality’s natural heritage includes two ZNIEFF sites, meaning natural areas of ecological, faunal and floral interest. Activities offered to visitors include river fishing, hiking, mountain biking and horse riding. If you are planning a specific activity, check its availability locally.

One named hiking route is the Boucle des Albères – Le patrimoine retrouvé; it starts at the cloister of Saint-Génis-des-Fontaines. Edulia Jardin Botanique et Gourmand offers another way to explore nature: the garden covers one hectare, and its covered, jungle-themed area measures 2,000 m². These figures help distinguish the scale of the garden as a whole from that of its covered area.

Discover more destinations: Fontpédrouse, Felluns, Rasiguères, Saint-Paul-De-Fenouillet, Les Angles, Espira-de-Conflent, Dorres, Pia

For the regional travel overview: Pyrénées-Orientales.