Provence: what's on in and around Gordes?

The landscapes of Provence, and in particular those of the Luberon, never cease to amaze! Gordes is a remarkable setting, with lush greenery, embossed valleys, narrow streets and limestone houses.

Nestling at an altitude of 340 metres in the Monts de Vaucluse, Gordes retains intact traces of a centuries-old past. Built from the stone of the rocky promontory on which it sits, the village offers a real journey back in time for tourists visiting the region. To explore it, all you have to do is lose yourself in its narrow streets, visit its monuments and enjoy the Provencal atmosphere of its shady, flower-filled terraces.

Among the buildings not to be missed is the Renaissance château, built between the 11th and 16th centuries and now used as a venue for summer exhibitions. At the heart of the village is the church. It is so well decorated that it resembles a fortress. More unusual sites are also worth a visit, such as the cellars of the Palais Saint-Firmin, which house mythical oil mills in their basements, and the seigneurial houses on the cliffside.

In terms of culture, the village has a number of museums to remind us of its artisanal and agricultural past. The Musée du Verre et du Vitrail (Glass and Stained Glass Museum ) and the Moulin des Bouillons, a listed historic monument, are located on a 2,000-year-old Gallo-Roman site. Finally, just a few kilometres from Gordes town centre, the Sénanque Abbey and its lavender fields are well worth a visit.

Sénanque Abbey is, along with Silvacane and Le Thoronet, one of the three Cistercian abbeys in Provence known as the "three Provençal sisters". Built in the 12th century, it is still inhabited by a community of Cistercian monks.

Sénanque Abbey became an endangered masterpiece in the early 15th century, which is why it was restored in the 19th century. It owes its splendour to the purity of its lines and the simplicity of its volumes, but also to the lavender fields that surround it, giving it an air of enchantment when summer arrives.

Not far from Gordes, an unusual place stands out: the village of Les Bories. Owned by the commune, it is home to the old dwellings and buildings used by the region's shepherds. Known as "bories", these huts were all built from dry stone, making them unique in Provence. It is estimated that they were built between the 6th and 15th centuries. Abandoned for almost a century, the village was restored in 1970 and is now a listed historic monument.

Gordes is THE perched village of the Luberon par excellence, so don't miss out on a visit during your next stay in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur!

🚌 How do I get to Gordes?

To get to Gordes by car, take the D900 road. The village is 45 minutes from Avignon and 1h10 from Aix-en-Provence and Marseille.

It is also possible to take a train to Avignon or Cavaillon and then travel by bus to Gordes, although this can be quite a journey!

The nearest airport is Marseille-Provence.

⏰ Opening hours of Sénanque Abbey and the village of Les Bories

Sénanque Abbey

is open from 10am to 11am and from 1pm to 4.30pm from Monday to Saturday and from 1.45pm to 4.30pm on Sundays.

Guided tours are available at 10.30am, 2pm and 3.30pm on weekdays and at 2pm and 3.30pm on Sundays.

The village of Les Bories

is open every day, but opening times vary according to the season:

• 9am to 5pm from 1 October to 31 March
• 9am to 7pm in April, May and September
• 9am to 8pm in June, July and August

👉 The village of Les Bories is closed on 25 December and 1 January.

👛 Prices for Sénanque Abbey and the village of Les Bories

Sénanque Abbey:

• Full price: €8.5
• Students: €5
• Under 18s: €3.5
• Under 6s: free

The village of Les Bories :

• Full price: €6
• Students: €4
• Under 18s: €4
• Under 12s: free

Reservations are not necessary for either Sénanque Abbey or the village of Les Bories. However, you are strongly advised to book your guided tour of the abbey as it can be very busy: go directly to the official Sénanque abbey website.

👉 Please note that the site is not covered by mobile phone networks, so download your ticket before coming.