The abbey of Sénanque is a cistercian abbey founded in 1148: it follows the rule of the Cîteaux abbey in Burgundy.
Cistercian abbeys observe the Saint Benedict rule (6th century), living a life of prayer and work in a remote place, far from the secular world. The abbey of…
In 1544 during the Religion wars the abbey was severely damaged; monks were expelled and the abbey was sold in 1791 during the French revolution. A small…
Lavander fields in front of the abbey buildings.
The abbey church, in plain romanesque style, with no decoration so as not to disturb the praying monks.
Abbey church.
Abbey church: cupola.
Thirty monks could sleep on straw beds set directly on the floor of this dormitory. The monks could access the church directly from the dormitory through a…
Stonemason marks. Stonemason left marks on the stone blocks they worked on in order to get paid.
Church bell tower with its dry stone roof.
The cloister links all parts of the abbey.
Each side of the cloister has 12 arches.
Remains of a fountain destroyed during the religion wars of the 16th century.
