Abbey of Le Thoronet
The marvel of Cistercian abbeys
Founded in the 12th century at the back of a forgotten valley in the up-country of the Maures massif, the abbey of Le Thoronet is, together with the ones of Sénanque and Silvacane, one of the three Cistercian abbeys of the Provence. This masterwork of Provençal Norman architecture, both traditional and modern, stands out for its sober and perfect lines, its shapely dimensions and exceptional acoustics. It particularly inspired Le Corbusier when he designed the convent of Sainte-Marie de La Tourette near Lyon.
Each summer, during the event called ‘Les Rencontres Internationales du Thoronet’, the abbey makes medieval music and songs resonate like they would have done some nine centuries ago. An absolute must-see event!
