8 Activities
The Lavender Fields of Sénanque Abbey
Starts from
Marseille
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
8
Duration
11 hours
Length
59 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Marseille
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
11 hours
Length
59 mi
James Taylor
Travel Expert
- Tour the Abbey of Sénanque and its famous lavender fields.
- Delve into the underground caves beneath Gordes.
- Feast on some of the finest food in the Provençal countryside.
A stay in the French Riviera might be all about enjoying the sun, sand, and surf along the Mediterranean Coast, but venturing inland also turns up some incredible natural beauty, history, and French culture. This day trip will take travelers to the Abbey of Sénanque and its lavender fields, where you can admire the fields of purple flowers in bloom before touring the historic abbey that's home to Cistercian Monks.
It's also a day trip that celebrates the beautiful Provençal countryside. You'll stop at a handful of beautiful, Medieval villages, wander through their twisting streets, and drive past valleys where vineyards flourish, and gorgeous chateaus sit atop hills. To end your day, you'll also enjoy dinner at one of the most celebrated countryside restaurants in the area.
It's also a day trip that celebrates the beautiful Provençal countryside. You'll stop at a handful of beautiful, Medieval villages, wander through their twisting streets, and drive past valleys where vineyards flourish, and gorgeous chateaus sit atop hills. To end your day, you'll also enjoy dinner at one of the most celebrated countryside restaurants in the area.
Categories
A stay in the French Riviera might be all about enjoying the sun, sand, and surf along the Mediterranean Coast, but venturing inland also turns up some incredible natural beauty, history, and French culture. This day trip will take travelers to the Abbey of Sénanque and its lavender fields, where you can admire the fields of purple flowers in bloom before touring the historic abbey that's home to Cistercian Monks.
It's also a day trip that celebrates the beautiful Provençal countryside. You'll stop at a handful of beautiful, Medieval villages, wander through their twisting streets, and drive past valleys where vineyards flourish, and gorgeous chateaus sit atop hills. To end your day, you'll also enjoy dinner at one of the most celebrated countryside restaurants in the area.
It's also a day trip that celebrates the beautiful Provençal countryside. You'll stop at a handful of beautiful, Medieval villages, wander through their twisting streets, and drive past valleys where vineyards flourish, and gorgeous chateaus sit atop hills. To end your day, you'll also enjoy dinner at one of the most celebrated countryside restaurants in the area.
James Taylor
Travel Expert
- Tour the Abbey of Sénanque and its famous lavender fields.
- Delve into the underground caves beneath Gordes.
- Feast on some of the finest food in the Provençal countryside.
Day Itinerary
8 Activities
Day 1
59 mi0.6 mi
The Abbey and Provençal Countryside
This day trip takes you to the wonderful lavender fields surrounding the Abbey of Sénanque, located just east of Avignon. Not only will you get to marvel at the wonderful fields of lavender, but you'll also be treated to a guided tour through the Abbey. Then, there's the medieval beauty of Gordes and a few more interesting stops.
As you'll be spending the hours over lunch at the Abbey, you should also pack a picnic lunch - perhaps some baguettes and cheese?
As you'll be spending the hours over lunch at the Abbey, you should also pack a picnic lunch - perhaps some baguettes and cheese?
10:0045 min
Notre-Dame-de-Beauregard
Church
Open Details
Pull over to the small town of Orgon, where this beautiful church sits next to the highway on top of the hill. From the parking area, the views are spectacular, taking in the town of Orgon and the rest of the valley as it stretches into the distance.
19.5 mi
50 min
12:002 hrs
Abbaye de Sénanque
Monastery
Open Details
Built during the 12th century, the Abbey of Sénanque is home to an order of Cistercian Monks, who keep a vow of silence to this day.
Tours of the Abbey take in its simple Cistercian architecture, leading you through the dormitory, a central cloister with a garden, and a chapel. It's a fantastic look into the modest life of a monk - there are six who live here today.
Before or after your tour, you'll be able to visit the gift shop, where you can purchase handmade items from the monks, and admire the fields of lavender, which are in bloom from June until September.
After your tour, it's a perfect place to enjoy your picnic lunch, surrounded by the natural beauty of the valley.
Tours of the Abbey take in its simple Cistercian architecture, leading you through the dormitory, a central cloister with a garden, and a chapel. It's a fantastic look into the modest life of a monk - there are six who live here today.
Before or after your tour, you'll be able to visit the gift shop, where you can purchase handmade items from the monks, and admire the fields of lavender, which are in bloom from June until September.
After your tour, it's a perfect place to enjoy your picnic lunch, surrounded by the natural beauty of the valley.
2.9 mi
15 min
14:1510 min
Parking Lot
Parking
Open Details
Make a short drive into the nearby town of Gordes. This parking area is a convenient spot to leave your vehicle and continue on foot - you won't want to squeeze your vehicle through these narrow streets!
A nice walk is waiting for you in Gordes. You're going to wander along small medieval streets, see the main water source of the city before the 20th century and go deep underground exploring the hidden city.
A nice walk is waiting for you in Gordes. You're going to wander along small medieval streets, see the main water source of the city before the 20th century and go deep underground exploring the hidden city.
0.3 mi
5 min
14:3045 min
Genty Pantaly Square
Historic Site
Open Details
It's time to take a gentle stroll through the beautiful streets of Gordes. Built on a hillside, this is one of the prettiest and most famous hilltop villages in France, seducing visitors with a cavalcade of houses spilling down the hill, all connected by twisting cobbled streets.
Enjoy the walk to this central square, perhaps popping into the shops along the way, or settling in with a coffee in the afternoon sun.
Enjoy the walk to this central square, perhaps popping into the shops along the way, or settling in with a coffee in the afternoon sun.
0.1 mi
5 min
15:301 hr
The Cellars of the Saint-Firmin Palace
Historic Site
Open Details
Head to this underground museum, a series of caves built around 1000 years ago where the town's industrial and craftsmanship activities were carried out. Inside you'll see where the townspeople used to make olive oil, store their grains, make bread, pray, and much more. The part open to visitors is only a small part of the vast network of underground tunnels that exist beneath the town's houses.
0.3 mi
10 min
16:4510 min
Parking Lot
Parking
Open Details
Make your way back through town to the parking area to pick up your car to begin the slow drive back to the final stops on your journey.
17.5 mi
40 min
17:4545 min
The Tree Masks Fountain
Historic Site
Open Details
Lourmarin is one a town, worth a short stop for a wander around, working up an appetite before dinner. This fountain in particular is of interest, where the figurines spout stones and moss from their mouths rather than water.
19.5 mi
40 min
19:301 hr 30 min
La Bastide de Venelles
Restaurant
Open Details
Make a stop at the restaurant La Bastide de Venelles, just north of Aix-en-Provence.
Here, you'll enjoy fine dining in a gorgeous setting, with a rustic Provençal farmhouse acting as the restaurant with a beautiful outdoor terrace as well. On offer is a range of traditional meals, served with high-end and creative flair.
Here, you'll enjoy fine dining in a gorgeous setting, with a rustic Provençal farmhouse acting as the restaurant with a beautiful outdoor terrace as well. On offer is a range of traditional meals, served with high-end and creative flair.