Abbaye de Sénanque, Gordes, Provence, France
Just a few kilometers from Gordes lies the Notre-Dame de Sénanque Abbey (Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque), one of the most iconic landmarks in Provence. The Romanesque stone buildings surrounded by lavender fields have become a symbol of the region and frequently appear in tourist brochures and guidebooks.
The access and parking at Sénanque Abbey
The abbey is accessible via the D177 road, which starts in Gordes. At one point, the road becomes one-way (1→2) due to its narrow width and location on a steep slope. This change helps avoid traffic jams, especially with larger vehicles like tourist coaches. Returning to Gordes requires following a different loop: from D177 to D244 and then D15 (2→3→1). A large, free parking lot is available next to the abbey (2; GPS: 43.931273, 5.188968).
Prices and visiting rules
Notre-Dame de Sénanque was founded in 1148 as a Cistercian monastery. It was partially destroyed in 1544 during the Wars of Religion and fell into decline. By the end of the 17th century, only two monks remained. The abbey was nationalized during the French Revolution and sold, but it was reestablished in 1854 by a new community. It closed again in 1870–1940 and 1969–1988. Since 1988, it has been active and open to visitors.
Standard ticket: 7.5 €. Students: 5 €. Children aged 6–18: 3.5 €. You can visit the abbey with or without a guide. Self-guided visits are only possible during specific hours, such as 9:45–11:00 (check the official website for updates). Visitors must remain quiet and move in small groups to respect the monastic community.
You can visit the following parts of the abbey:
- surroundings and the famous lavender fields,
- the dormitory (monks' sleeping area),
- the church interior,
- the cloister and inner courtyard,
- the chapter house (meeting place),
- the scriptorium (the only heated room, used for copying manuscripts).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When does the lavender bloom at Sénanque Abbey?
The lavender fields around the abbey reach full bloom from late June to the first half of July, making this the best time to visit if you want to see purple rows against the stone buildings.
What are the visiting hours at Sénanque Abbey?
Unguided visits are generally available Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 11:30 AM and from 1 PM to 5 PM, and on Sundays from 1:45 PM to 5 PM. Guided tours last about an hour and usually start at 10:30 AM, 2:15 PM and 3:30 PM, but it's best to check the official site for updates.
How can I get to Sénanque Abbey from Gordes?
Follow the D900 towards Gordes from Coustellet and then turn onto the D177 towards Venasque. The abbey is about 5 km from Gordes and can be reached easily by car or bike.
How many monks live at Sénanque Abbey?
A small community of Cistercian brothers still lives at Sénanque, following the Rule of Saint Benedict and dividing their days between prayer, meditation and work.
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