Jewel of the Cistercian art

One of the “Three Sisters of Provence”, it was built by the Cistercian monks in the 12th century and is the best representation of the Cistercian abbeys in Provence (the others being the Sénanque Abbey and Le Thoronet Abbey). It is the most recent of the three sisters and the only one that has not continued its monastic activity.

The construction of the abbey church occurred between 1175 and 1230, and the inside is practically void of any décor. The chapter hall and the monastery room were built at the beginning of the 13th century, and during the second-half of the 13th century, the cloister was constructed. Inside is found both the solid, Roman-style, full arches and the later, olive arches. The complex was pillaged and abandoned in the 15th century and then restored as a parish church in the 16th century.

Its interior is devoid of any decorative elements, making it a perfect, if not austere, example of 12th century Cistercian architecture. The purity of its lines, its well balanced proportions and size make it a place filled with peace and light.

The monastery was dissolved during the French Revolution. The dilapidated buildings and the land on which they stand were bought by the government in 1846, turned into a historic site and gradually restored for the public.


Rates:
7€ for adults
6€ for groups
"passport"(access to the museum of la Roque d'Antheron
Special reduction for both visits to the abbey and to the Castle of Lourmarin


Visits with reduced rates with the card PASS on sale in the abbey and in the museum, giving the right to reduced rates on various cultural and tourist places of the Country of Aix >Discover the concerned sites.


Tel : (0)4 42 50 41 69
Envoyer un courriel
Visiting Hours - from May 28th to September 30th : every day from 10 am to 6 pm

winter season : every day except Tuesday, from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm.

ART EXHIBITIONS :
The abbey welcomes many art exhibitions during the year organized by the city.