AROUND PROVENCE - Top 10 Provence and the Cote D'Azur - page 117

6. ABBAYE DE MONTMAJOUR
This massive, fortress-like abbey, built by Benedictine monks in the 10th century,
can be seen from a great distance. When it was built, the low hill on which it now
stands was an island surrounded by pools and marshes and is still, appropriately,
known as Mount Ararat. Damaged by fire in 1726, the abbey was restored during the
19th century, and its Eglise Notre-Dame is one of the largest Romanesque buildings
in Provence. Below the church, a 12th-century crypt and chapel have been carved
into the hillside (for further details see Abbaye de Montmajour ). Rte de Fontvie-
ille, Arles • Open Apr-Jun: 9:30am-6pm daily; Jul-Sep: 10am-6:30pm daily;
Oct-Mar: 10am-5pm Tue-Sun • Closed 1 Jan, 1 May, 1 & 11 Nov, 25 Dec • Adm

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7. ABBAYE DE SILVACANE
Along with Sénanque (for further details see Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque ) and
Thoronet, Silvacane is one of the three great sister-abbeys constructed in the 12th
century by the Cistercian order as it rose to prominence in Provence. Its plain, aus-
tere architecture reflects the rule of the order, which was founded by St Bernard in
protest at the luxury and corruption of other monasteries. The church has a high,
vaulted transept and the cloister arcades and refectory were added in the 13th and
14th centuries. Abandoned by its monks in the late 14th century, it became a liv-
ing abbey once again in the 20th century. La Roque d'Anthéron • Open Jun-Sep:
10am-6pm daily; Oct-May: 10am-1pm, 2-5pm Tue-Sun • Adm

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8. CASSIS
This delightfully pretty fishing port (for further details see Cassis ) with its brightly
coloured fishing boats anchored in a harbour on a rugged, rocky coastline, was a fa-
vourite with painters such as Dufy, Derain and Matisse (for further details see Pain-
ters in Provence ) , all of whom were inspired by its clear light and bright Mediter-
ranean hues. Amazingly, it has escaped being spoiled by tourism, and there are pretty
rocky coves (calanques) and beaches nearby. Cassis is also noted for its excellent sea-
food (fresh sea urchins are considered a local delicacy) and there are plenty of good
restaurants.

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