One of the highlights during our jaunt around Provence was hiking to the Abbaye de Sénanque. Although we were too early in the year to enjoy the lavender fields surrounding the abbey, it was nice to be able to enjoy the grounds without a ton of people there. In fact, we didn’t come across anyone on our hike there or back!
We parked our car in Gordes, which was heaving with people due to a literature festival showcasing local authors, and started walking a lovely path through old oak trees and low stone walls made without mortar.
And suddenly we saw the abbey below us. We hiked down into the valley to enter. We later found out that only recently had lavender been replanted in the front garden. That’s the reason why it looked a bit scraggly when we were there. I wonder what it will look like when the plants have matured and are in full bloom.
As with any abbey, there is a sense of calm within the thick walls, and I loved walking through the cloister.
We decided to hike back to the car via a different route and walked through a canyon and then straight up. It was a beautiful hike and the view from the top was magnificent.
