Along with its sisters, Silvacane and Sénanque, Thoronet Abbey is one of the three Cistercian wonders of Provence.
Construction work on the Notre-Dame-du-Thoronet abbey began between 1160 and 1190 and was largely completed in 1250.
At the beginning of the 13th century, the monastery housed about twenty monks and a few dozen lay brothers. Less than two centuries later, the decline of the abbey had already begun.
In 1660, the prior reported “the great need that the buildings of this abbey have to be repaired since they are in a pitiful state”. In 1699, cracks and collapses of the roofs, broken doors and dilapidated windows were reported…
In 1790, seven elderly monks still lived there. The abbey was in danger of disappearing when, upon discovering it, Prosper Mérimée saved it by reporting it to Revoil, architect of historical monuments.
The latter began restoring it in 1873. This restoration was resumed after 1907 by his successor Formigé, and has continued ever since.
In its bareness, the abbey perfectly illustrates the Cistercian rule which proclaims: “the monastery will be built, if possible, in such a way that it brings together within its enclosure all the necessary things, namely: water, a mill, a garden, workshops for various things in order to prevent the monks from going outside…”. The Romanesque style there achieves a rigor hitherto unknown.
Themes:
Location details
- In forest
Visit
Individual visit services
- Unguided individual tours permanently
- Guided individual tours on request
Group visit services
- Unguided group tours permanently
- Guided group tours on request
Opening
Opening hours from January 01 to December 31, 2025 | |
---|---|
Monday | Open |
Tuesday | Open |
Wednesday | Open |
Thursday | Open |
Friday | Open |
Saturday | Open |
Sunday | Open |
From October to March: 10 a.m. to 13 p.m. / 14 p.m. to 17 p.m.
Last access 45 minutes before closing.
Exceptional Closure(s)
- 01/01/2025
- 01/05/2025
- 01/11/2025
- 11/11/2025
- 25/12/2025
Admission fees
– Guided tour (50 min) to discover the history and architecture of the monument, Cistercian monasticism, the Middle Ages. The visit is enhanced by songs in the abbey church. All year round, morning and afternoon (subject to availability).
– Themed visits: dates and times on:
https://www.le-thoronet.fr/agenda
Game booklet to download from our site (family visit page).
Guided tour for groups by reservation only.
Cistercian Itinerary in Provence: your entry ticket allows you to benefit from a reduced rate at Sylvacane and Sénanque (and vice versa).
Itinerary 2 must-see sites in Provence: your entry ticket allows you to benefit from special rates at the Commanderie de Peyrassol and the Domaine du Rayol (and vice versa).
Your entry ticket allows you to benefit from a reduced rate for the Cloitre de Fréjus (and vice versa).
Payment methods
Services
Equipments
Services
Activities on site
- Concert
- Temporary exhibitions
Home animals
Adapted tourism
Visual impairment
Small removable model of the abbey
Sensory models of the monument