A gala dinner will be organized at the end of the European Conference, on Thursday evening, the 30^th of August 2012, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Abbaye de Valmagne, a gothic abbey near Mèze and the Etang de Thau (45 minutes by bus from Corum de Montpellier).

From the 12^th to the 13^th century, Valmagne was one of the richest abbeys in South of France.

The actual church in classical Gothic style was begun in 1257 on the foundations of the original Romanesque chapel, which had become too small for the ever-increasing number of monks. Inspired from the great cathedrals of the North of France, it has 83 meters long and 24 meters high.

Confiscated as a national property during the French Revolution, the abbey was sold in 1791 to Mr Granier - Joyeuse who turned the church into a vine cellar.

The cloister has the exquisite charm of the Tuscany's garden, with the Chapter House and its ribbed voult, witness of the presence of the monks since the 12^th century, and its elegant and magnificent fountain bringing the most pure and fresh water from the spring of Diane.

Open to the public since 1975, Valmagne is well known to all archaeologists and lovers of old monuments.
 

Germain Traiteur, one of the most famous caterers in Languedoc-Roussillon, will offer you a refined mediterranean food, served with the best local wines.

Learn more about the Abbaye de Valmagne : www.valmagne.com