Situated, since the 12th century, deep in its Provençal valley, the Abbey of Sénanque is one of the most pure examples of the primitive Cistercian architecture.
As 900 years ago, the Abbey shelters a community of Cistercian monks who lived according to the rule of Saint Benedict.
Seven times per day, the community gathers together in the abbey church to pray.
The monks of Sénanque, in a spirit of sharing, open the doors of their abbey to visitors : during the visit, you can admire the abbey church, the ancient dormitory, the cloister, the warming room and the chapter house, built in the 12th and 13th centuries.
To allow most of people to visit that exceptional heritage, the entrance price is the same for several years.
The admission fees contribute to maintain and restore the Abbey of Sénanque.
Visits of the Abbey – Individuals
The abbey is closed from January 10 to 31, 2019
From the 1st to the 28th of February 2019
Guided tours in French during 1 hour :
- From Monday to Saturday : 10:30, 14:15 and 15h30
- Sundays : 14:15 and 15:30
Unguided Tours :
- From 10:00 to 11:30 (last entrance at 11:00), except on Sundays
- From 14:00 to 17:00 (last entrance at 16:30), everyday
On Sundays : no unguided tours the morning, mass at 10:00 in the winter chapel of the monastery
Visitors can get information in a brochure (9 languages: French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Japanese and Chinese)
Rates
– Adult : 7,50 €
– Student (from 18 to 25 years, on presentation of the card) : 5 €
– Child (from 6 to 17 years): 3,50 €, free from the 3rd child under 18 years old with his/her parents.
– Free for child under 6, for guides (on presentation of the card), for priests and members of a religious order
The guided tour, which lasts 1 hour, is only in French, except for groups.
Timetables of the visit of the abbey – Individuals
| Horaires des visites guidées | Horaires des visites non guidées | |
| Janvier - Février - Mars - Novembre - Décembre Fermeture le 25 Décembre et le 1er Janvier | Du lundi au samedi : 10h30, 14h30, 16h Le Dimanche : 14h15, 16h | Du lundi au samedi : Entre 10h et 11h et l''après-midi : entre 13h et 17h Le Dimanche : Entre 13h30 et 17h |
| Avril - Mai - Septembre - Octobre Fermeture le 10 Avril ( Vendredi Saint ) et le 21 Mai au matin ( Ascension ) | Du lundi au samedi : 10h30, 13h30, 14h30, 15h30, 16h30 Le Dimanche et 21 Mai : 14h30, 15h30, 16h30 | Du lundi au samedi : Entre 09h30 et 11h et l''après-midi : entre 13h et 17h Le Dimanche : Entre 13h30 et 17h |
| Du 1er Juin au 23 Août inclus Fermeture le 15 Août au matin ( Assomption ) | Du lundi au samedi : 10h30, 14h30, 15h15, 16h Le Dimanche et 15 Août : 14h30, 15h15, 16h | Du lundi au samedi : Entre 09h30 et 11h et l''après-midi : entre 13h et 17h Le Dimanche : Entre 13h30 et 17h |
| Du 24 août au 1er Septembre | Du lundi au samedi : 10h30, 14h30, 15h15, 16h Le Dimanche et 15 Août : 14h30, 15h15, 16h | Du lundi au samedi : Entre 10h et 11h et l'après-midi : entre 13h et 17h Le Dimanche : Entre 13h30 et 17h |
Visits of the Abbey – Groups & Schools
The guided tour lasts 1 hour and can be in French, English or Spanish.
A guide of the abbey or your own professional guide always accompanies the group. On booking only, by phone or by email, confirmed by us.
Contact : visites@ndsenanque.net – 00 33 4 90 72 18 24
Rates for groups
From April to September
– Package of 20 visitors + the guide of the abbey : 145€
– Package of 20 visitors + your own professional guide : 105€
– Additional visitor : 6.50 € – Maximum 50 persons per group – Visits in French, English and Spanish
From October to March
– Package of 15 visitors + the guide of the abbey : 105€
– Package of 15 visitors + your own professional guide : 65€
– Additional visitor : 6€ – Maximum 50 persons per group – Visits in French, English and Spanish
Rates for schools
Rates for a school group : 120€
Group of 30 students under 18 years old maximum and 5 adults – Additional adult : 6,50€
Terms and methods of payment – Groups & Schools
Down payment of the package on booking, 60 days maximum before the visit – Additional tickets the day of the visit or with voucher and invoice – By bank transfer or credit card
Cancellation:
– 15 days before the visit, refund at 100 %
– special cases : contact us
Timetables of the visit of the abbey – Groups & Schools
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Be guide at Senanque
Before being a touristic site, the Abbey of Sénanque is a place of monastic life.
For all that, the monks are happy to open and share this architectural jewel with visitors. That’s why visits, with a guide or not, are organized all over the year.
The abbey offers jobs for guides, from April to September.
The assignment is for professional guides or students in history searching for a work placement.
We don’t have the possibility to accommodate the seasonal guides.
Please send your application and curriculum vitae to : candidatures@ndsenanque.net
Lapidary signs
Silent witnesses of the accomplish work, about 2600 lapidary marks are present in Sénanque. Thanks to this signs, the stonemason could be payed.
It can also be a signature, as “publicity” for the mason or his working group.
Useful informations
The Abbey of Sénanque is a place of a monastic life : it’s important to respect the spirit of silence and prayers. Proper dress code is required.
Seeing as there are many stairs in the medieval abbey, the access for disabled persons is particularly difficult and impossible with a wheelchair. The community of the monks of Sénanque undertakes a program of restoration to make the abbey accessible to disabled persons.
Dogs and other pets are not allowed inside the abbey (except assistance dogs).
Shooting informations
Photos for personal use, without tripod, are allowed even during the visits.
Photos or videos shooting with models, extras or professional equipment (tripod, lightning, etc.) are forbidden inside and outside of the abbey.
No photo, no video, no sound recording during the services.
The access to the lavender fields is forbidden in order to preserve the harvest of the monks of Sénanque.
Every commercial use of the image or the name of the Abbey of Sénanque is strictly forbidden.
The drone’s overflights are strictly forbidden in the valley and over the abbey.