[2025 Gordes Attraction] Travel Guide for Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque (Updated Mar)

Nestled in the heart of Provence, near the picturesque village of Gordes, Abbaye de Sénanque is one of the most iconic and serene monasteries in France. Surrounded by rolling fields of lavender and lush countryside, this 12th-century Cistercian abbey offers a glimpse into monastic life while standing as a symbol of tranquility and spiritual reflection. A Medieval Masterpiece Founded in 1148, the abbey is a stunning example of Romanesque architecture, with its austere stone walls, elegant cloisters, and a simple yet powerful design that embodies the Cistercian values of prayer and self-sufficiency. Despite centuries of history—including periods of turmoil during the French Revolution and World Wars—the abbey has remained a place of worship and monastic life, with monks still residing and practicing their daily rituals here. Lavender Fields in Full Bloom One of the most breathtaking sights at Abbaye de Sénanque is its endless rows of lavender, which bloom from late June to early August, turning the landscape into a sea of purple. The scent of lavender fills the air, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that attracts photographers, travelers, and those seeking a peaceful retreat. The monks cultivate the lavender themselves, producing essential oils, honey, and herbal products that are sold in the abbey’s shop. A Place of Silence and Reflection Visitors can explore the abbey through guided tours, which provide insight into the daily life of the monks, the abbey’s history, and its remarkable architectural features. The church, cloisters, and chapter house remain largely unchanged from medieval times, preserving an authentic sense of the past. Unlike typical tourist sites, Sénanque is a place of silence and contemplation, where guests are encouraged to embrace the peaceful ambiance. Exploring the Surroundings Located near the Luberon region, Abbaye de Sénanque is close to some of Provence’s most charming villages, including Gordes, Roussillon, and Bonnieux. A visit here can be combined with hikes through the Verdon Natural Regional Park, tastings at local Provençal markets, or simply enjoying the golden hues of the sunset over the abbey’s stone walls. Abbaye de Sénanque isn’t just a historical landmark—it’s a living, breathing retreat that captures the timeless beauty of Provence. Whether visiting for its spiritual atmosphere, stunning lavender fields, or its deep historical roots, this abbey remains an unforgettable experience in the heart of France. #europetrip

The town of Gordes, also known as the "Stone City", was built on the Vaucluse Mountains at an altitude of 340 meters. It overlooks the entire Calaon River and its valley area, and is far away from the Luberon Mountains. From the moment you arrive at the entrance of the village, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the valley. It is one of the most beautiful villages in France. The town was built in the 11th century and has a history of nearly a thousand years. The houses in the entire town are made of locally produced granite. From a distance, it looks like a city in the sky, majestic and magnificent, with towering walls. All the buildings are integrated with the rocks, which is also the origin of the name "Stone City". For seven centuries, as the "guardian" of Provence, he has guarded Provence with its impregnable walls, tall houses, and maze-like narrow alleys. Gaudí Castle is located at the highest point of the entire town, and St. Firmin Church, restaurants and various handicraft shops are also scattered throughout the town. Senanque Abbey is located in the heart of the Senancole Valley, about 4 kilometers from the town of Gaudé. When it was first built in 1148, it was just a temporary residence built by poor monks. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the Abbey of Sénanque reached its peak, operating four mills and seven farms. During the religious wars and the French Revolution, priests were expelled many times and the monastery was looted and sold many times. It was not until 1988 that it was returned to the church. It witnessed the rise and fall of the Cistercian Church in Provence for more than 800 years. The monks living here make a living by growing lavender and raising bees. The lavender field planted by the monks in front of the monastery is also one of the three most beautiful lavender fields in Provence.

I was attracted by the classic view of the lavender field in front of Sénanque Abbey, but when I went there this time, the lavender in front of the abbey was gone, and there was only a large field next to it. Without the classic photo spot, how can I take good photos? Here are some recommended photo spots. 1️⃣ The small lavender field on the side of the abbey, low angle. Lower the camera to take a photo of the lavender and the abbey in the same frame. 2️⃣ The window in the abbey. When you sit by the window and the sunlight shines in, you will suddenly have a picture of "jumping on the paper." 3️⃣ The lavender field next to it. There is a large lavender field not far from the abbey. 👗 Outfit: It is best to choose a simple French style. For example, I chose this baby blue jumpsuit, which goes well with the quiet abbey and lavender field. Especially the abbey, which has the picture of an illustration in a French novel. I think the fun part of travel outfits is that the travel scene allows you to wear more stories and pictures. Southern France, France

13-day dream trip to Europe, visiting multiple countries and experiencing romance and classic attractions. Come explore with me! -------------------- 🛫Itinerary: Day 1: Shanghai → Milan → Nice, start your European journey! Day 2: Day tour of Nice, visit Monaco, Sanremo, and Eze, and enjoy the Côte d'Azur. Day 3–4: Nice → Provence, visit Sénanque Abbey, Gordes, and Avignon, then head to Lyon and Burgundy to experience the fusion of ancient history and wine. Day 5–6: Burgundy → Paris, visit the Palace of Versailles and experience the romance of the City of Light. Day 7–8: Paris → Rome, enjoy your own Roman holiday and explore the ancient city's thousand-year-old charm. Day 9–10: Rome → Florence → Bologna → Venice, visit Florence, take a boat ride on the Grand Canal, and explore the Venetian Lagoon. Day 11–12: Verona → Dolomites, visit the Garden of the Gods - the Dolomites, then return to Milan to end your wonderful journey. Day 13: Return to Shanghai with a full heart! -------------------- Tips: 💶 Check the exchange rate before traveling to Europe. 1 euro is about 7.6 yuan. Prepare some change to make your trip easier. ❄️ Europe is cold in December. Northern Europe has beautiful snow but is very cold, while Southern Europe is warmer. Remember to bring warm clothes! ✈️ Pay attention to airport transportation, confirm that your luggage is checked through to your destination, and allow at least 2 hours for transfers. 🛍️ Check the prices of local specialties. French perfume and chocolate are not cheap, so make sure you have enough budget. -------------------- Your European trip is waiting for you to explore. More travel tips are waiting for you to discover!

Have you seen "Summer in Provence"? Flowers, sunshine, olives...summer is really the season in Southern France! Starting from June, the lavender in Southern France will be in full bloom again! Check out 5 little things you must do in South France to spend a romantic summer together🎠 ✅️Watch a sea of ​​lavender flowers💐 Lavender can be seen in different towns in southern France. The flowering period starts in mid-June and varies depending on the altitude. The lower plains will be the first to welcome the sea of ​​flowers. The largest lavender flower sea is in the Valensole Plateau. With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, the lavender here can stretch to the skyline, and you can also see the sunrise and sunset in the flower fields. If you want to avoid the crowds, you can also go to Luberon. The widely circulated photo of the lavender fields of the abbey is the Senanque Abbey here. Starting in July every year, lavender festivals are held in various small towns. Local residents wear traditional costumes to perform, and there are also grand lavender markets, which are an indispensable part of experiencing Southern France in depth. ✅️Attend a theater festival in Avignon🎭️ Every July, Avignon becomes a theater stage, with hundreds of thousands of theater people from all over the world gathering here to perform works. Meng Jinghui's "Rhinoceros in Love" has been here before, and the biggest production every year will be staged at the Papal Palace. On the street, you can also see people in fancy clothes promoting their works through various performances, and some even move the prop bed from the stage to the street ✅️Following the traces of Cezanne in Aix🎨 The famous painter Cezanne was born in the small town of Aix in South France. Traces of Cézanne's Impressionism can be seen everywhere. The most worth visiting must be Cézanne's studio. The interior is richly furnished, and the ceramics, cabinets, and statues still retain the appearance of Cézanne's lifetime. Cézanne's masterpiece "The Bathing Girl" was born here. Walking out of the studio, Cezanne actually stuffed the entire Aix into the painting. To the east of the city, you can overlook the Mont Saint-Victoire, which often appears in Cézanne's paintings. The place where "Red Rock" was created ✅️See Van Gogh’s same sunflowers in Arles🌻 In addition to lavender, you can also see patches of sunflowers blooming in southern France, especially in Arles, a small town where Van Gogh lived. In Arles, you can see the prototypes in Van Gogh's paintings everywhere: the Rhone River, the Arena, the outdoor cafes at night... At the Carrière Museum, the former quarry has been transformed into a screening room. World-famous paintings are transformed into light and shadow covering the huge stone walls. Here, you can appreciate the paintings from a different angle. ✅️Explore ancient Roman ruins in Nîmes🏛️ Nîmes is a magical city. The ancient Roman ruins here are more complete than those in Rome, Italy. In particular, the Colosseum in Nimes is the best preserved of the few remaining arenas in the world, and is not easy to see even in Italy. Not only that, following the guide, you can also pass through the secret passage on the third level of the ancient Roman aqueduct🤫 The popularity of English in Southern France is not as good as that in Paris, and the distances between various attractions are relatively long. If you want to go to Southern France this summer, you are welcome to go with HH.

#OverseasTravel #EuropeTravel #FranceTravel When you come to France 🇫🇷 Provence, you must see lavender! We chartered a car heading to the most famous Senanque Monastery! There are a lot of lavender fields in front of the monastery🟣, so beautiful that you need to take pictures📸️! As far as the eye can see! And you won't force yourself with others! And nearby are full of lavender fields, you can go to charter! 😆 A large field of purple flowers, making people happy to see! 💕The endless purple color is really limited to Southern France! Beautiful! However, there are quite a lot of bees in the flower fields🐝, be careful! Senanque Monastery 📍84220, Gordes, France

South France Provence Lavender Watch Guide|Flower and Location Lavender is the symbol of Provence in South France. Many people travel to South France to find large lavender fields . In fact, Provence is very large, lavender Tian is not everywhere, plus different locations have different flowering periods, so if you want to go here, it is best to do your homework in advance! . Here is a lavender viewing guide. . Annec De Senanque The Senanque Monastery built in 1148 is the most famous lavender field in Provence. It can be seen everywhere on postcards, lavender is set against the monastery. It is extraordinarily beautiful, although the lavender fields in the hospital do not allow visitors to enter, but there are also large lavender fields outside the door. If you are interested, you can also buy tickets to visit the inside of the monastery. Location From the Stone Town Gordes, it is 4 km northwest along the D177 road. June-June-Mid-July Fig. 2 . Valensole Sennanke's lavender field has a feeling of Xiaojiabiyu Well, Valen Soller is definitely a good show for everyone. There are a lot of large lavender fields here. There are no tickets for lavender fields. It is recommended to drive by car. Which flower field is in the middle of the road, just stop by the roadside. location Valensolle Valensole on the D6 and D8 roads, everywhere June-July-July as shown in Figure 3 . Sault Sault is known as the Lavender Capital, unlike the plains of Valensole Valensole, Sault Village Sault is located on the plateau, mainly in the mountains, where the lavender fields Growing up on the hillside, the mountains and the mountains, you can shoot the feeling of the sky. location From Sault to Lagarde d'Apt on the D34 road, there are dozens of hectares of lavender fields July mid-August-August/Hh/ 4 . Travel mode There are everywhere gardens and villages, mainly by self-driving, the road is very open here, see the lavender field, stop the car on the side of the road, just fine . Unable to drive by yourself, you can take a day trip to nearby cities such as Avignon or Marseille to sign up for Stone Town, Red Clay City and Senanque.

I originally planned to go to Provence to see lavender. When I formed the arrangement, I wanted to go to Senanke Monastery first. I didnt expect the lavender in front of the door to be just right. It was very beautiful. The Senanque Monastery was built in 1148 and is hidden in the secluded valley surrounded by green forests. It is one of the three famous Cistercian academies in Provence. The road leading to the valley is rugged, on the side of the rocky cliff, overlooking the entire monastery and the blue-violet lavender fields in front of the courtyard. The natural and pure scenery is unforgettable. There are not many tourists here, and everyone can enjoy the time slowly.

Sophie's French travel notes from mid-June to mid-August, it is the season of lavender bloom in Provence, France, where the Senanque monastery in the deep valley often appears in postcards. Automobile from Avignon for about an hour, there is a parking lot at the door, there is a clear indication that the drone cannot be used. The lavender variety in front of the monastery is hybrid lavender and purebred lavender. The color is particularly purple. Because it is a private property, the lavender field cannot be surrounded. If you want to visit the monastery, you need to pay 7.5 euros for tickets. The staff will be guided by the staff and will be accompanied by a Chinese commentary for 45 minutes. If you have enough time, you can consider visiting.