Thoronet, Sénanque or Silvacane: Which of the Three Sisters to Visit
Provence's three great Cistercian abbeys share a strict architectural family resemblance — here is how they differ, and which to choose if you can only see one.
Thoronet is one of the 'Three Sisters of Provence', a trio of 12th-century Cistercian abbeys built to the same austere ideal: Sénanque near Gordes, Silvacane near La Roque-d'Anthéron, and Thoronet in the Var. All three strip away ornament in favour of pure proportion and light. But they sit in different corners of Provence and each has a distinct character, so it helps to know how they compare before you plan a route.
What do the three abbeys have in common?
All three were founded in the 12th century by the Cistercian order, whose rule prized material poverty and simplicity so that nothing would distract the monks from prayer and work. The result is architecture almost entirely without figurative carving, stained glass or applied decoration — the effect comes from stone, geometry and daylight alone.
Because they share this ideal, the family resemblance is strong: barrel-vaulted churches, plain cloisters and a deliberate, meditative calm. Seeing more than one lets you appreciate how the same strict rule produced subtly different buildings in different landscapes.
How is Thoronet different from Sénanque and Silvacane?
Thoronet is widely considered the most austere and best-preserved of the three, and the purest expression of the Cistercian ideal — its sloping cloister and long, resonant echo in the church are its signatures. It is also the most secluded, set alone in a wooded Var valley rather than beside a village or town.
Sénanque, near Gordes, is the most photographed, famous for the rows of lavender that bloom in front of it in summer, and it is still a living monastery where Cistercian monks reside — so visits are more restricted and often guided. Silvacane, near La Roque-d'Anthéron about 30 km north of Aix-en-Provence, is generally regarded as the last-built of the three and today stands as a monument rather than a working community.
Can I visit all three in one day?
It is possible with a car and an early start, but they are spread across Provence — Sénanque in the Vaucluse, Silvacane between there and Aix, and Thoronet further east in the Var — so a full circuit is a long day of driving with shorter stops at each.
Many visitors prefer to pair two that are closer together, or to give a single abbey the unhurried hour or two it deserves. If contemplative architecture is the draw, Thoronet rewards a slow visit more than a rushed one.
Which one should I choose if I can only see one?
If you want lavender and the classic Provence postcard, and you are based near Gordes, choose Sénanque — but check its visiting rules first, since it is an active monastery. If you are near Aix, Silvacane is the easiest to reach.
If you want the purest, quietest and best-preserved Cistercian architecture — and you are anywhere near the central or eastern Var — Thoronet is the one to see. Its emptiness and acoustics are the whole point, and it is at its best with few people inside.
Frequently asked
What are the Three Sisters of Provence?
They are three 12th-century Cistercian abbeys built to the same austere architectural ideal: Sénanque near Gordes, Silvacane near La Roque-d'Anthéron, and Thoronet in the Var. The nickname reflects their shared style and era.
Which of the three is the most impressive architecturally?
Thoronet is usually singled out as the purest and best-preserved, prized for its unadorned church, sloping cloister and remarkable acoustics. Sénanque is the most photographed thanks to its lavender, and Silvacane the youngest-built.
Is Sénanque still a working monastery?
Yes. Cistercian monks live at Sénanque, so access is more restricted and often by guided visit. Thoronet and Silvacane are no longer active communities and are managed as monuments.
Which abbey has the lavender fields?
Sénanque, near Gordes, is the one framed by lavender, typically flowering from around late June into July. Thoronet sits in a wooded valley and does not have the lavender setting.
Can I see all three abbeys in a single day?
With a car and an early start, yes, but they are spread across Provence and it makes for a long day. Pairing two, or giving one abbey a proper unhurried visit, is often more rewarding.
How far apart are Thoronet and Sénanque?
They are in different parts of Provence — Thoronet in the Var, Sénanque in the Vaucluse near Gordes — roughly a couple of hours apart by car, which is why a three-abbey day is ambitious.
Why do the abbeys look so plain inside?
The Cistercian rule called for simplicity and poverty, avoiding anything that might distract monks from prayer. That is why the churches have no figurative carving or stained glass — the beauty is in proportion, stone and light.
If I only have time for one, which should it be?
For the purest and quietest Cistercian architecture, choose Thoronet, especially if you are in the central or eastern Var. For lavender and the classic Provence view, choose Sénanque and check its visiting rules first.