Sénanque Abbey
Cistercian monastery since 1148
The Sénanque Abbey is a must-see monument in the Vaucluse region, nestling in the hollow of a valley and one of the purest examples of early Cistercian architecture, it is still inhabited by a community of monks. A Cistercian monastery since 1148.
Notre-Dame de Sénanque Abbey dates back to the 12th century, and you can explore it on guided tours of the dormitory, abbey church, cloister, chauffoir and chapter house.
What gives meaning to this religious edifice is the testimony of men brought together by Christ’s call to follow him more closely.
In the 11th century, Saints Robert, Alberic and Stephen, our Founding Fathers, wanted to return to the Benedictine rule in a desire for a more demanding and authentic monastic life. Our life is based on 3 pillars: the Liturgical Office, Lectio Divina and work. The liturgical celebration, which is public worship of God, is the element that structures our existence. Seven times a day, the community gathers in the church to pray. It is the monk’s (and the community’s) privileged place of encounter with the Creator and Saviour.
Lectio Divina
Bible reading is the time devoted by the monk to this knowledge of the Word of God. A savory, loving reading of Sacred Scripture that penetrates the reader’s heart and converts him or her. Monastic tradition sees four stages in this encounter with God in solitude and silence: reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation.
Work
Work is an integral part of our monastic life. Its purpose is not only to provide daily bread for the community – “they are truly monks if they live by the work of their hands”, as Saint Benedict tells us – but above all to glorify God through human activity. Work is a fraternal service for the common good and the fulfillment of each brother.
This community and fraternal life is lived in obedience to the Abbot, who is the spiritual and temporal Father of the monastery. He takes the place of Christ within the community.
Monastic life is a response to a call. A call from God to holiness, as it is for all baptized people. A path of transfiguration. It is a response to the merciful Love given by Jesus, God made man, in the Presence of the Holy Spirit to the glory of the Father.
Lavandin cultivated by monks
Lavender has been grown at Sénanque since the late 60s, in response to Saint Benedict’s call: “they will truly be monks if they live by the work of their hands”. For monasteries, the time is no longer ripe for economic autarky – if it ever really existed! Monasteries are integrated into the society of their time and follow its legal and economic rules and constraints.
At Sénanque, the brothers’ work is divided into two sectors: agriculture (lavender, honey, forest) and welcoming retreatants to the guesthouse. Not forgetting, of course, all the ordinary chores of a family, from cooking to washing! In principle, every brother has to be multi-skilled.
The lavandin grown at Sénanque is a hybrid between true lavender and spike lavender. It is a sterile plant reproduced by cuttings. Lavandin flowers from the end of June. It is picked under the July sun. The harvest is then taken to the distillery to produce a top-quality essential oil: 100% pure and natural, the stems and flowers are steam-distilled.
At Sénanque, lavandin flowers from the very end of June until full foraison in mid-July. It is generally harvested at maturity in late July or early August.
Spa in Vaucluse for a relaxing getaway
The Spa Ventoux Provence welcomes you every day, all year round, for a relaxing getaway for a day, weekend or spa treatment. A balneotherapy and cryotherapy center in Vaucluse to help you escape your daily routine… Rediscover form and well-being.
Just 1 hour from the Spa, you can visit the magnificent Abbaye de Sénanque. The place is magnificent, the monument extraordinary, and you’ll remember it forever.
And why not take advantage of the SPA?
When you stay with us, you benefit from a preferential rate to use the Spa.
Spend a day enjoying the heated swimming pool with massage jets and whirlpool baths, sauna, hammam, salt cave, cardio room, outdoor jacuzzi Scottish bath and solarium garden.
