Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ABBAYE NOTRE-DAME DE SENANQUE
Surrounded by the purple lavender fields of the Luberon, the grey stone
façade of the lovely Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque emanates tranquillity,
but its past is anything but peaceful. Founded in 1148, Sénanque's golden
age was the 13th century, when its ownership of several local farms brought
new wealth. But in 1544 it was torched by the heretic Vaudois (for further
details see
The Vaudois Massacre
)
, in 1580 it was stricken by the plague,
and by the 17th century only two monks were left in the crumbling building.
The French Revolution and the anti-monastic laws of the 19th century were
equally unkind, but since the 1970s, the abbey's fortunes have been restored
and ten monks are now in permanent residence here.
04 90 72 05 86 •
www.senanque.fr
• Open only for guided tours (in French). Reservation
recommended. Phone to arrange. Closed mid-Nov-Jan (mornings), Ascen-
sion (sixth Sun after Easter), 15 Aug, 1 Nov • Spiritual retreats (for a max-
imum 8 days) Feb-Dec; no arrivals on Mon. Phone or email
frere.hotelier@senanque.fr to arrange. • Mass given 8:30am Mon,
11:45am Tue-Sat, 10am Sun & bank hols • Adm €7
Google Map
1. CLOISTER
The dove-grey limestone columns of the cloister, decorated with delicate carvings of
leaves, flowers and vines, are superb works of craftsmanship, dating from between
1180 and 1220.
View photo
2. SPIRITUAL RETREAT
Members of the public who wish to temporarily share the monks' lives of silent pray-
er and meditation are welcome to stay in the Abbey. Guests are invited to participate
in the monastic community and activities.
