Discover Montfrin, Provence, France
Montfrin: Between Provence and a Prestigious Past
Our B&B “Le Prieuré Notre Dame”, is located in Montfrin, a historic village with a prestigious past.
The village of Montfrin has been known since 120 BC. The Romans settled in Languedoc, where they enjoyed the abundant wine and succulent game. The dense woods of the Montagnette (Latin for “mountain”) were home to many wild animals (ferinus). Over the centuries, the name Monsferinus, meaning “mountain of game,” evolved into “Montfrin.”
Montfrin is a historic village steeped in a distinguished past that has seen many notable figures pass through its streets: General Charles Martel, Charlemagne’s grandfather; Francis I; Louis XIII; Cardinal Richelieu; Molière; as well as writers and prominent political figures. Their presence helped make Montfrin a key site of historical events that shaped the destiny of France. The village bears the marks of the Knights Templar in the 12th century, the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John of Jerusalem in the 14th century, and finally the Black Penitents in the 16th century.
What to see in Montfrin ?
The Church of Notre-Dame de Malpas. The Church of Notre-Dame de Malpas is one of the most beautiful Romanesque buildings in the Lower Languedoc region, built in 1180 by the Knights Templar. Its bell tower, the work of the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John of Jerusalem, dates from 1372.
The Knights Templar Commandery. A few steps further on is the entrance to the Commandery, built in 1169 by the Knights Templar upon their return from the Holy Land. This historic building was home to the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller for nearly 800 years.
Montfrin Castle . A major landmark of the village, the castle is listed as a historic monument and was built around an ancient Roman tower and later the Templars’ keep. The castle is so famous that many kings and queens stopped in Montfrin, a renowned spa town, to take the waters and treat their ailments.
Montfrin, an ideally located village in Provence, France
Between Provence, the Camargue, and Languedoc, travel easily to some of the region’s most beautiful destinations.
Montfrin → Pont du Gard: 11 km
Marvel at the Pont du Gard, a listed ancient masterpiece located just 15 minutes away for an unforgettable getaway.
Montfrin → Avignon: 22 km
Discover Avignon, its famous festival, and its exceptional heritage, accessible in only around thirty minutes.
Montfrin → Nîmes: 24 km
Enjoy Nîmes and its iconic Roman monuments, just a 30-minute drive from Montfrin.
Montfrin → Uzès: 27 km
Enjoy Uzès, a jewel of the Gard region renowned for its historic center, duchy, and famous Provençal market, reachable in around thirty minutes from Montfrin.
Montfrin → Arles: 29 km
Set off to discover Arles, where art, history, and Camargue atmosphere come together, just 30 minutes from Le Prieuré.
Enjoy the Town Center of Montfrin
The Montfrin Market
Every Tuesday morning, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., stroll along Cours Jean-Jaurès and discover the Montfrin market, where local producers and regional specialties await you in an authentic atmosphere.
Camargue Bull Games
Camargue bull games are traditional spectacles in which raseteurs face bulls without harming them, attempting to remove attributes attached to the animals’ horns. Held in the century-old arenas of Montfrin, these events offer an intense yet friendly atmosphere and are an integral part of local Camargue traditions.
You can check the dates of upcoming Camargue bull games on the French Federation of Camargue Bullfighting website.