Historic site and monument
in Le Thoronet

Abbaye du Thoronet

A REMARKABLE EXAMPLE OF CISTERCIAN ARCHITECTURE

Along with its sisters, Silvacane and Sénanque, Thoronet Abbey is one of the three Cistercian wonders of Provence.
In 1136, monks left the Mazan Abbey in Ardèche to found a monastery on the lands of Tourtour. Fifteen years later, the monks moved about twenty kilometers away, near Lorgues, to a wooded area.
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.
We speak: Italian, Dutch, German, English, French

Themes:

  • Religious Heritage
  • Abbey

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
MondayOpen
TuesdayOpen
WednesdayOpen
ThursdayOpen
FridayOpen
SaturdayOpen
SundayOpen
From April to September: 10 a.m. to 18:30 p.m.
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

– Self-guided tour at your own pace using a leaflet or audio guide, an introductory room for the tour welcomes you.
– 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).
Free for children under: 25 years old

Payment methods

  • Cheque
  • Bank / credit card
  • Cash
  • Classic Holiday Vouchers

Services

Equipments

  • Parking
  • Toilets

Services

  • Shop
  • Guided tours

Activities on site

  • Temporary exhibitions
  • Concert

Home animals

Pets are not accepted

Adapted tourism

Adapted service: Presentation of the place accessible to visually impaired people at reception

Visual impairment

Visitor booklet in French and English, in Braille with relief drawings
Small removable model of the abbey
Sensory models of the monument

To download

Address

Abbaye du Thoronet
83340 Le Thoronet
How do I get there?

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