Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque
4.5
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Founded in the 12th century, Notre-Dame-de-Sénanque is a unique example of a Cistercian abbey and still an active monastery.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Best nearby
Restaurants
40 within 3 miles
Attractions
54 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,476 reviews
Excellent
1,265
Very good
865
Average
242
Poor
74
Terrible
30
robertmaster123
Wilmington, NC415 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
I hate to write a mediocre review of a religious sight, but I was disappointed in my visit. The few descriptive plaques are in French, so that they are useless to an English speaking person. The I Pad in English gave some information but was not very comprehensive.
From the outside the campus appears large but you can only tour a small portion. I wish there was more information about the present day monks who actually live there. Overall my wife and I were disappointed in the experience.
From the outside the campus appears large but you can only tour a small portion. I wish there was more information about the present day monks who actually live there. Overall my wife and I were disappointed in the experience.
Written March 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
drlcs1
318 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
We were there in June (around June 21) and the Lavender blossoms were just coming into bloom.
We managed to take some nice pictures even though the lavender wasn’t in full bloom.
The gift shop is reasonably priced.
We managed to take some nice pictures even though the lavender wasn’t in full bloom.
The gift shop is reasonably priced.
Written December 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sandiablonde
Edgewood, NM679 contributions
Oct 2022
The lavender was of course all picked already and they charged to walk into the abbey itself so we didn't do that but the gift shop was very nice, with lots of lavender products for sale, especially soap. The building is pretty and it sits in a nice little valley but unless you want to buy something lavender, not worth the drive,
Written November 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
GuppeC
Hulshout, Belgium602 contributions
Aug 2022
Probably the rating should be higher. We were hear late August and stopped on out way further south. Unfortunately the abbaye was closed and the blooming period of the lavender already passed. Yet the abbaye still looked impressive and the surroudings are great as well.
Written October 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kai C
Half Moon Bay, CA1,127 contributions
Sep 2022
A working 12th century Cistercian abbey near Gorde. Its main draw are the fields of lavender, which allow for captivating photos. You can do a spiritual retreat. For most people, outside view should be enough.
Written September 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MichiganMelissa04
Plymouth, MI639 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
This abbey just felt holy to me. I recommend an early tour as it does seem to get crowded. Try to come when the fields are in bloom. Leave time for a stop in the bookstore and gift store!
Written August 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jake23
New Jersey6,507 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
The abbey is beautiful and stunning to see. It’s made from white rock and surrounded by lavender fields. Unfortunately for us they were not in bloom, but it was beautiful nonetheless.
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
roadnottaken
Gordes, France2 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Non French speakers: do not take the tour. It may have also been bad in French, but there’s no way to know. A French guide gives a detailed French liturgy while all the non-French speakers struggle to use these tablets that use VR to show you around the room with half broken headphones and little to no description. Some French children were also using the tablets which gives you a glimpse into how advanced the tablet tour was— lots of time spent on what type of paper they used and far less time spent on the rich history of the abbey which we googled on the way home! We ended up sneaking out of the tour early behind another group so we could take in the grounds more and end the tour faster.
The abbey and the lavender fields themselves are lovely, and if you stop by while in Gordes budget max 30 min to look around and take in the views. The tour itself however was a mistake for us English speakers.
The abbey and the lavender fields themselves are lovely, and if you stop by while in Gordes budget max 30 min to look around and take in the views. The tour itself however was a mistake for us English speakers.
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
drlcs1
318 contributions
Jun 2022
We were there in June (around June 21) and the Lavender blossoms were quite nice (but I am sure they look nicer in July). We took lots of pictures!
Surprisingly, we found that the pricing in the gift shop was reasonable compared to many other shops in the town in Provence.
Surprisingly, we found that the pricing in the gift shop was reasonable compared to many other shops in the town in Provence.
Written July 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Elizabeth P
New York City, NY278 contributions
Jul 2022
Look up current photos of the abbey before you decide to take a tour because they have renovated it, and the modern look is (in my opinion) not nearly as lovely. As of July 2022, the church is closed, so also factor this into the cost of the tour. For the summer period, tours sell out, so be sure to book in advance. Given the closed church and the crowds, we decided to skip the tour, but you can still park at the back of the abbey (for free) to get the famous view of the abbey with the lavender. Also try the top of the hill in Gordes for a good (free) view as well! The lavender is peaking early this year because of dry conditions. As of the first week of July, it was already peaking, so check this out as well before you waste time and money on the trip.
Written July 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
T&M
Strasbourg, France3 contributions
Y-a-t-il encore de la lavande à cette période de l’année ?
Robin L
11 contributions
Hi,
I just saw on the website that you can book your visit (in timeslot). Is this mandatory or can you also purchase your entrance ticket on the spot? We would like to go in July or August.
We also doubt whether we want to visit the inside. If you just want to visit the outside, are there also opening times that apply to the domain? Or can you just visit al day and in the evening?
Thank you vere much!
Hi, can you please tell me if it is possible to visit the Abbey in the evening (7pm or so)? We don't need the guided tour, we just would like to view it on our own
Jen2239
Reine, Norway1 contribution
Hi, did you have to book to go inside this Abbey? I am having hard time to find English website to make reservation.Thank you.
J A S 2
61 contributions
Hi, I did visit the abbey in winter time. As we were staying in a hotel in Gordes it was only a 10++ minute drive. Therefore we just went there. It has a shop area were you can go without booking, of course :-)
Within that shopping space others did also pay the admition to the guided tour.
besides that you may walk around on the permited area.
Be aware that in summer this place is packed and has sometimes multiple wedding photo sessions from guests from asia (my observation at a prior visit in summer)
john s
bellport1 contribution
hi we were thinking of taking a one day trip from marseille- we were going to go by train to gare de castaillon and then rent bikes and ride to the abbey and then stay in gordes at a spa and bike back the next day
what can you tell me about your bike trip to the abbay- it seems like it might be largely uphill- is the grade crazy or ok? any thoughts would be parreciated
Amira E
7 contributions
Hi -- if you visited the Senanque Abbey in June, would you please tell me what exact date in June you visited and if the fields were in full bloom? Thank you!
NatD123
Highland Beach, FL12 contributions
We are here now and the lavender is just starting in the higher altitudes and not quite in full bloom here in the valley yet. I am told it will be done in a couple of weeks, but I find that hard to believe. Still a air amount of poppies. No sunflowers at all. Cherries are ready.
michelerocamora
Normandy, France
Est il obligatoire d avoir un guide
Barbara S
Marche, Italy155 contributions
Oui, si vous voulez visiter tout le complexe de l'Abbaye. Autrement, si vous ne voulez visiter que l'église, vous pouvez y aller tout seul, c'est gratuit. Pour visiter toute l'Abbaye il n'y a que des visites guidées, je ne me rappelle pas le prix. Il faut quand mème avoir des vetements aptes à entrer dans ce type de lieux (pas de pantalon court, etc....).
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque, Gordes
Frequently Asked Questions about Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque
- Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque is open:
- Sun - Sun 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Mon - Sat 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 21 Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque:
- (0.26 mi) Hotel Les Bories & Spa
- (0.44 mi) Domaine de l'Enclos
- (0.23 mi) Beautiful and spacious family villa near Gordes, Provence
- (0.24 mi) Charming villa located just minutes walk from the beautiful village of Gordes
- (0.68 mi) Airelles Gordes, La Bastide
- Restaurants near Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque:
- (0.26 mi) Restaurant Gastronomique des Bories
- (0.70 mi) L'Outsider
- (0.72 mi) La Trinquette
- (0.76 mi) Le Teston
- (0.75 mi) L'Artegal
- Attractions near Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque:
- (0.74 mi) Vieille Ville de Gordes
- (1.02 mi) Village des Bories
- (0.74 mi) Gordes Market
- (0.80 mi) Caves du Palais Saint Firmin
- (5.25 mi) Art Gallery Contemporary Tapiezo