Abbeye de Notre-Dame de Senanque

ABBAYE DE NOTRE-DAME DE SÉNANQUE

NEAR GORDES IN PROVENCE (S FRANCE)

FOUNDED IN 1148 AS A CISTERCIAN ABBEY, NOW A WORKING MONASTERY WHICH GROWS LAVENDER

Nestling in a barren and uninviting valley in Provence, the Cistercians drained the valley bed and now, hundreds of years later, this is a solid blanket of lavender flowers in July - as shown in the postcard below. Even when we visited in early June the large car park was full, so one imagines it's not that relaxing when the lavender blossoms, and it ain't very relaxing competing with mobile homes, caravans and other assorted Provence tourists either! Nonetheless, this place (with lavender) is so beautiful that it's worth a (early morning) try. As this is a working monastery, you can only get inside on a guided tour, and they are often full, so it's worth thinking of booking:

Visits can be booked in advance via the Abbey's (French) website

The east (apse) end of the abbey church is on the left

More photos to come .....

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