Abbaye du Thoronet, Provence, France
Le Thoronet Abbey (Abbaye du Thoronet) is a well-preserved Cistercian monastery from the 12th century, located in a tranquil forest valley in Provence, near Lorgues, Carcès, and Entrecasteaux. It is one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in France. A visit to the abbey reveals how monks lived and worked in the 12th and 13th centuries. Together with Sénanque and Silvacane abbeys, it forms a trio of iconic Cistercian monasteries in Provence.
The access and the parking at Le Thoronet Abbey
The abbey lies about 4 km from the village of Le Thoronet, surrounded by oak woods. It is accessible via road D79. A free parking lot is available under the trees (1; GPS: 43.461037, 6.260370). When we arrived, there were many free spots, but in high season it’s better to come early to avoid crowding.
The path to the abbey
From the parking area, a pleasant path leads through the forest for about 100 meters. It brings us to a gate, behind which stands a building with the ticket office, a bookshop, and a gift shop (A; GPS: 43.460338, 6.262896).
Le Thoronet Abbey – ticket prices
From April to September, the abbey is open from 10:00 to 18:30 (with a lunch break on Sundays from 12:00 to 14:00). In other months, visiting is also possible, but with shorter hours (see the official website). Ticket prices (as of 2017): 8€ for adults, 6.5€ reduced.
Visiting the abbey
After buying the tickets, we enter the abbey complex. It consists of several stone buildings and a peaceful garden area with trees and fountains. The tour begins in the church (B; GPS: 43.460303, 6.264107), with a beautiful Romanesque barrel vault. Then we explore the dormitory and descend to the cloister (C; GPS: 43.460648, 6.263867), which has elegant galleries and a central fountain. Below the dormitory lies the chapter house, where monks held meetings. Nearby are the armarium (library), cellar (cellarium), parlor, and even facilities once used for olive oil production.
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