• Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque

The History Of Abbey Notre-Dame de Sénanque

The Abbey of Sénanque was founded on the 9th of the Calends of July 1148 (23rd June) by a dozen of Cistercians monks coming from the monastery of Mazan, located in Ardèche. Our-Lady of Sénanque was the fourth Cistercian abbey founded in Provence, after Le Thoronet, Aiguebelle and Silvacane.

En cette fête de la Toussaint, il nous semble que les habitants du Ciel se rendent très proches des habitants de la terre ; c’est en effet une des fonctions de la liturgie de nous affranchir des limites du temps et de l’espace et de nous transporter dans ce monde nouveau déjà divin qui vient à notre rencontre. Nous sommes dans la joie de nous savoir aujourd’hui particulièrement unis avec nos frères et sœurs qui nous ont précédés dans le Royaume
Frère Jean-Baptiste - Paroles tirées de l'Homélie du jour de la Toussaint

Community of the Abbey Notre-Dame de Sénanque

Just like during the 12th century, a community of Cistercians monks is currently living in the Abbey of Sénanque, still following the rule of Saint Benedict.

Seven times a day, the monks gather in the abbey church to pray together.

Community of the Abbey Notre-Dame de Sénanque

Just like during the 12th century, a community of Cistercians monks is currently living in the Abbey of Sénanque, still following the rule of Saint Benedict.

Seven times a day, the monks gather in the abbey church to pray together.

Support us

To allow us to preserve the exceptional heritage of our Abbey and help our community.
You can help us by donating online. This donation entitles you to a tax reduction.

You can also send your donation directly to the Abbey:
Abbaye de Sénanque – Père Prieur – 84220 GORDES

We thank you in advance for your help and generosity.

News of the Abbey

You can also find all the news of our Abbey on this page.

Retreats of The Abbey

We are happy to welcome you for a time of retreat at the Abbey.
The Brother Hotelier is at your disposal to organize your stay as well as possible.

Find all session dates here.

Masses and Services of The Abbey

The Masses and Offices celebrated by the Brothers of the Abbey are open to the public. We thank you for respecting the atmosphere of recollection and prayers. Sound and video recording is not allowed.

Masses and Services of The Abbey

The Masses and Offices celebrated by the Brothers of the Abbey are open to the public. We thank you for respecting the atmosphere of recollection and prayers. Sound and video recording is not allowed.

Visits to the Abbey Notre-Dame de Sénanque

They open their monastery at precise hours, to share the monastic and historic heritage of the Romanesque Cistercian architecture.

During the tours, the monks stay into the monastic enclosure where they keep praying; that is why they ask you to respect the atmosphere of silence and contemplation.

Have a nice visit!

The Abbey Shop

Our shop welcomes the products of the Abbey of Sénanque but also the monastic products of more than fifty abbeys and monasteries.

Privileging this monastic offer means supporting the communities by allowing them to live from their work and ensuring the proper maintenance of the abbeys.

We also offer you local products selected for their quality, scents of Provence or even a large bookstore.

Currently the Abbey shop welcomes you from Monday to Saturday from 9:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Abbey Shop

Our shop welcomes the products of the Abbey of Sénanque but also the monastic products of more than fifty abbeys and monasteries.

Privileging this monastic offer means supporting the communities by allowing them to live from their work and ensuring the proper maintenance of the abbeys.

We also offer you local products selected for their quality, scents of Provence or even a large bookstore.

Currently the Abbey shop welcomes you from Monday to Saturday from 9:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.