Few visitors know this gem of Haute-Savoie: an alpine village and its unique abbey

Nestled in the heart of the Alps, the commune of Abondance reveals itself as a true hidden gem unknown to the general public. This small mountain pasture village, with its intact charm, is especially renowned for its exceptional cheese and for housing an ancient abbey that proudly overlooks the surrounding mountains.

A terroir, a cheese, a story

Abondance cheese owes its fame to a dual heritage: it is both the child of the valley that names it and the result of know-how passed down by monks. Its production, a house of tradition, finds its origins in the efforts of religious communities since the Middle Ages — as evidenced by writings stating that as early as the 14th century, cheese was shipped to the papal conclaves in Avignon.

This cheese, semi-cooked pressed curd with a delicately hazelnut flavor, is made exclusively with raw milk from the local bovine breed, the Abondance, a majestic cow with a characteristic mahogany coat. It benefits from a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), which guarantees its authenticity and quality, notably through a rigorous production respecting well-defined terroirs within the Savoyard Chablais region.

A millenary abbey bearing witness to the past

Dominating the valley, the Notre-Dame d’Abondance Abbey impresses with its Gothic architecture and its painted cloister, inhabited by biblical scenes and decorations recalling medieval Savoyard landscapes. Founded at the very beginning of the 12th century by canons from the Saint-Maurice d’Agaune Abbey, it was one of the first listed monuments in Haute-Savoie.

The cloister, the jewel of the site, houses 15th-century frescoes depicting the life of the Virgin, integrated into a Savoyard decor faithful to the reality of the time, from people to landscapes. Today, the abbey opens its doors to the public: visitors discover the church, the historic rooms, the sacred collections – and sometimes temporary exhibitions or cultural events during the summer months.

An authentic getaway off the beaten path

Abondance embodies an ideal destination for those wishing to escape the tourist bustle. Between gourmet tastings, pastoral walks, discovery of religious heritage, and strolling through typical chalets, it promises an immersive experience filled with serenity. One contemplates the mountain pastures, tastes the terroir, feels the history. A contemplative immersion far from crowds, in an authentic and preserved setting.

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