I've been waiting for 2 years to visit the Abbey. I bought tickets online because I'd heard it was the only way to wander about the lavender fields surrounding the Abbey. However the tickets are only for the tour of the inside and other than the central garden all was meh! The cathedral was completely torn apart, other rooms.were recently refurbished and completely empty. We did the unguided tour since the only guided tour is in French language; and we felt we got ripped. You can walk into the grounds and into the gift shop inside for free; but you can't "wander" about the fields. The outside ( see photo) is being rebuilt and is covered in scaffolding which does not look good from close up. We arrived at 9am and other than one tour bus there was no one there and the parking lot empty. By 10:30 the lot was full and people were swarming. My recommendation- visit the outside of the Abbey ,and take pictures from where the road turns into the Abbey or a little closer, but don't go in and definitely don't buy tickets for a tour. Better yet, give it one year and return in 2022. It should be gorgeous by then.

Such a beautiful place, but it deserves so much more. Our guide seemed to be totally bored by his job, acoustic was terrible and the church was a messy construction site. To be honest, I was really disappointed as I still had such wonderful memory from this beautiful place from long ago when amazing Maronite music could be heard throughout the building which added to the magic. Sénanque definitely still is worth a visit but the tour felt soulless.

It has been more than an hour from Aix. In fact, it is not so attractive in the area with dense scenic spots in the south of France. If shopping is not included, the stay time does not exceed half an hour. But the lavender in full bloom will make people feel full of joy.

I went to see this Abbey for the second time. This time I went in early October. I knew the lavender would not be in bloom but I wanted to see it again anyway. I was not disappointed. The rows of once purple lavender still had a slight blue hue. They lead the eye like arrows to the newly washed stones of the Abbey. Once grayed by time, these stones are now a warm yellow. We were able to go inside, but it was Sunday and the monks were celebrating privately so we didn't get the tour. We walked around outside toward the back of the Abbey. The grounds are littered with big trees and brush. You can spot the bright white statue of Mary up the hill peeking between the branches. It is definitely worth a visit in any season, but if you can, it is best to time it when the lavender is blooming in June.

The monastery itself is pretty, and the valley around it as well. Unfortunately, the lavender is only in bloom between June and September - nothing can be done about, that of course, but I'm sure the visit is far more spectacular with lavender in bloom. In May, it's only barely worth a stop if you're already in Gordes- and certainly not worth planning a trip there just for the monastery.

Iconic landmark. Worth a visit, especially in June and July when the lavender is blooming. This place can get extremely busy. There's a very nice gift shop, if you're into that.

Beautiful location! I advise you to go early in the morning, as there are a lot of people and it is difficult to take photos without tourists. I would choose all the same places less crowded. There are many gorgeous lavender fields in Provence.

This is an incredible place to visit during lavander season. The visit will take up to 1 hour, and with the ticket fee you get and audio guide that aims to explain the history of the place. The place is crowded with tourists so it would be wise to visit early in the morning. Definitely pay a visit to the nearby town of Gordes once you are there.

Secluded monastery in the middle of nowhere. It's near Gordes but you need to go a bit further. Parking space is a lot and not too pack with people. The lavender bloom when we were there and the smell and visual were really soothing. There is a shop selling lavender stuff which I love! Nice to visit place.

Quite nice... but still, packed with tourist. Unable to get nice pictures with too many tourist at the back ground. But to appreciate with your bare eyes, it's considered a beautiful attraction to visit. Magnificent I will say...

beauty and knowledge are two things you will take away from this amazing senanque. I can’t wait to return when the lavender is in bloom in the summer. I visited in mid October and the weather was perfect. the interactive pads they gave you to visit through the senanque is top-tear I live in NY and this was better than the museums there. So informative about how the Monks have lived and continue to live in this beautiful Senanque. The shop is incredible and a lot of their product is sourced from the grounds! The experience will take about an hour or hour and a half. The architecture of this place is stunning. Just a 10/10 and so well priced, tickets are cheap and the gift shop is reasonable. A true Gem and beautiful experience.

There is a small lavender field in front of the abbaye. It is currently under renovation and not much too see.

Peaceful and pleasant place to visit.. ❤️ Scenic and beautiful.

A picturesque Abbaye (think church, chapel, and living quarters for the clergy) surrounded by lavenders in something that must have inspired paintings and movie settings a like. It’s a short 15 minute drive from Gordes, so I would consider this a must see. There are mountains that surround the Abbaye and gives off a very peaceful and serene environment to show appreciation for the area.

Beautiful working Abbaye. Beautiful grounds and setting. Interesting audio tour. And extensive souvenir shop.

Unfortunately, we came a few days after the lavender was harvested ( 3rd August). The atmosphere was therefore a little less beautiful than it is in the pictures characteristic for this place. Nevertheless, in their shop we bought all sorts of nice things. We had a pleasant chat with a very kind abbot. It was very nice, i'm sure that when lavander is not harvested this place is even more magical.

Beautiful lavender fields that just take your breath away. The history is incredible. Don’t miss out on the gift shop, because the prices are reasonable.

Awesome ride! And awesome place, the smell here was lovely. We walked around for an hour and continued our journey. There was a very long waiting line for the abbey, so we end up not going there. The pictures of the place also didn’t seem too beautiful as well. And entree is also not free.

It’s a nice place to take photos. You can have a short visit. Maximum 1 hour if you don’t visit inside. 4G signal is weak due to the valley’s position, so you had better to plan your itinerary earlier.

Great serene space. Small, simple but idyllic. Lots of free parking close to the monastery (ignore the cars parked on the road and near the entrance. Doesn't necessarily mean the car park is full). Some places to picnic in the nearby woods. Bring water. Staff friendly. Gift shop is great. Lots of opportunities for THAT photo of you in a lavender field. Good combo for day out with Venasque or Gordes.

Interesting but not too much of it is original. Worth doing if you’re passing by but I wouldn’t travel too far specifically to see it. I’d like to see it when the Lavender is in bloom.

Nice, quite place. Wish we were there when lavenders blooms. Maybe next time. Did some good shopping.

A beautiful Abbaye best to visit in July to see the beautiful lavender fields surrounding the abbaye. Come early to avoid crowd

A great place outdoor is the best to take some pictures and smell lavanda fields perfume. Indoor is less impressive but still worth a visit if you have never visited a 12th century abbey. Last time I was there was in summer 2017 but I am pretty sure nothing changes in a place like this, where time has literally stopped. You can book a guided tour if you want to. THis is a 4 star review as I enjoyed Gordes site more.

Abbey Senanque is a must see in the Luberon. The lavender surrounding the abbey is spectacular summer or snow covered winter. The gift shop is very well done and not overly expensive considering that you are in a very touristy area. They sell some wonderful religious articles for those who are Catholic. I have been to Mass here in the past and I will say it is one of the most beautiful solemn experiences you will ever encounter and the monks chanting during the Mass you will remember forever.

This small 12th century monastery is a fifteen minute drive from Gordes. It's an active monastery with six monks. You can go on a guided tour in French or opt for the self guided tour for which you'll get a tablet in multiple languages. The tablet tour is excellent: you can switch back and forth between the present and the past. You can learn a lot about life in a monastery. It takes around 30—60 min to complete the tour. The extensive gift shop sells products made by this and other monasteries. Especially the lavender honey is recommendable.

Very unique place, loved the serenity. Dogs are not allowed close to the monastery. You can however walk around it with them. Going inside there is a lovely shop with lots of regional products. Is a nice stop to combine with other places in the area. We spend around 1.5 here (but we went inside separate because of the dog)

Beautiful abbey in an amazing surrounding with blossomed lavande. Interestingly, the abbey is still active with 6 monks but you can visit. In fact it was very busy the day we went, and without booking in advance, we had to wait 45 minutes for a tour that is every 30". Our tour was in French but there are interactive tablets to see and hear things in English (same concept as in the Palais des Papes in Avignon). They simply lack organisation to buy tickets and retrieve the equipment to listen to the guide or the audio-guide. There is only a coffee machine/distributor to drink things while waiting but there is a couple of shops. Otherwise there is a path that goes around the abbey and joins what looks like a hiking path.

Beautiful place which is worth the visit. Mostly for the atmosphere. Even without the tour inside it's a nice place to see

Yes, it’s worth visiting. Don’t miss it. We didn’t go visit the inside of the abbey. We just walked around the monastery outside. There’s a viewpoint behind the monastery but you should wear hiking shoes for it because there’s a lot of small rocks. Park outside of the compound along the road! The road inside the compound is narrow and can be blocked by vehicles. On our way out we saw a bus blocked from exiting… imagine the jam. The gift shop is large and well stocked.

Very nice historical place to visit. Pity the church got damaged during the last earth quake. The iPad guide is very useful and well done as it is also usable for younger visitors. I would recommend visiting the abbey in two years again as the lavender fields are just freshly seeded and then they will develop their full magic and beauty.

the drive there offered a beautiful view of the surrounding nature. the lavender fields were colorful and not too crowded and parking there was pretty easy too. We took some pictures and visited the small shop that offers a variety of good quality lavender-themed and provence items without being too tourist-y.

Beautiful place, unfortunately in august we miss the beautiful lavanda blossoming.. once you are on the way at some point you will loose Internet connection

Went with my family for a nice walk and self tour inside with totally new way of guidance. Fair fee and pad with video tour software showing the past and present days. Also the shop with all kind of staff will just amazed me. Lavender bee honey is just one of my favorite and this one is worth every penny.