Abbaye de Sénanque
The 3 Sisters of Provence: (1) Sénanque Abbey
Situated not far from the spectacular village of Gordes, Sénanque Abbey was founded in 1148 with the help of the Bishop of Cavaillon and the Count of Provence.
One of the three sisters
Cistercian monks from the Ardèche came to run the Abbey and built the Abbey Church consecrated in 1178. The Abbey reached its peak during the later Middle Ages operating four mills as well as estates throughout Provence. Together with the Abbeys at Silvacane and Le Thoronet it constitutes one of the ‘Three Sisters of Provence’
During the French Revolution the Authotities nationalised the Abbey. In recent years a new community of Cistercians manages the estate growing lavender and selling honey.
TIP – visit in June or early July when the lavender is in bloom with the Abbey in the background.