Sénanque Abbey

The Abbey of Sénanque was founded in 1148 by Cistercian monks from Mazan Abbey. Just four years later, the monastery had grown sufficiently to establish a daughter house. Thanks to generous donations, including from the Simiane family and the Lords of Venasque, the abbey's possessions rapidly expanded. In the 13th century, Sénanque experienced its heyday, which, however, was also accompanied by a certain prosperity and a deviation from the vow of poverty. At the end of the 15th century, an energetic abbot ensured the reintroduction of monastic rules. During the French Wars of Religion, the monastery was burned down by Waldensians in 1544, and several monks were killed. Thereafter, the abbey lost its significance, housing only two monks by the end of the 17th century. Nevertheless, the south wing was restored at the beginning of the 18th century. During the French Revolution, the monastery was sold as state property in 1791, thus saving it from destruction. In 1854, Sénanque was again used as a monastery, at times housing up to 72 monks. After further closures between 1870 and 1940, and from 1969 to 1988, monastic life has now resumed in the former abbey, which is currently a priory of Lérins Abbey.

The Cistercian Abbey of Sénanque is located in Gordes, in the Vaucluse department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of France. It stands at an elevation of approximately 374 meters above sea level.

Today, Sénanque Abbey is open for visitors, offering insights into monastic life and Cistercian architecture.

• Château de Gordes (castle), approx. 2.2 km away
• Château de Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (castle), approx. 4.7 km away
• Château de Cabrières (château), approx. 5.0 km away
• Château de Venasque (castle), approx. 8.0 km away