Abbaye Notre Dame de Sénanque

Founded by Cistercian monks in 1148, Sénanque belongs to a remarkable group of monasteries known as the Three Cistercian Sisters of Provence, alongside Le Thoronet and Silvacane. Of the three, it is the only abbey that continues to be inhabited by a religious community.

The location reflects the ideals of the Cistercian order. Hidden within a secluded valley and surrounded by woodland and agricultural land, the site was chosen for its isolation and self-sufficiency. The abbey's architecture follows the same principles. Built in local stone and largely free from ornament, its spaces were designed to encourage reflection rather than display.

Across the centuries, Sénanque experienced periods of prosperity, decline, abandonment and renewal. The monastery was damaged during the Wars of Religion, emptied during the French Revolution and again affected by the anti-clerical policies of the early twentieth century. Yet each time, the community eventually returned.

Today, the abbey remains an active monastic site where the daily rhythm of prayer, study and work continues according to traditions established centuries ago. Visitors encounter not a preserved monument but a living institution whose purpose remains unchanged.

The lavender fields that surround the abbey each summer have become one of the most recognisable images of Provence. Yet the significance of Sénanque lies deeper than its beauty. It offers a rare encounter with continuity — a place where architecture, landscape and spiritual life remain inseparable nearly nine hundred years after its foundation.