Thoronet Abbey is a former Cistercian abbey built in the late twelfth and early thirteenth century, now restored as a museum. It is sited between the towns of Draguignan and Brignoles in the Var Department of Provence, in southeast France.
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Bistrot le p'tit bouchon - Domaine Saint Louis la Manuelle - Fermeture saisonnière
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This is off the beaten path a little, but we were so glad we visited. Beautifully restored 900 year old Abbey. If you are looking for fancy gargoyles and intricate designs then this isn't the place for you. It is sleek and simple in lines and impresses with its size, simple beauty, and sense of peace. The acoustics are impressive, whether in the church or the monks dormitory. The barrel vaulted ceilings and cloisters are beautiful. Visited on a Tuesday and there were only a dozen or so other visitors there at the same time so often we had spaces to ourselves. The parking lot is just across the road and it is a 200m or so walk on a cobbled path to the entrance through the reception/gift shop. Audio guides are available in English. There is a kiosk selling cold drinks & gelato by...
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The beauty of this monastery is as powerful as its history. As one turns to view the building, the round openings echo in the mind.
Many years ago, I visited with a group of singers from the Yale Institute of Music; as we entered a German group was about to depart and one singer stayed behind. Standing under the entrance, she began to slowly sing Silent Night in German. She paused between each phrase and waited for each phrase to fall down to harmonize with the next one. I don't know if there is another building which has this spine-tingling effect but I'm happy that I experienced this one. If ever there was a five star...
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Beautiful abandoned monastery set among trees a few miles outside Carcès. The monks may have gone, but their church and monastic buildings remain and it's fascinating to look at how they, and the Lay Brothers, lived their simple lives. (Not too simple though. Look at the size of that tithe barn). The acoustics in the the Romanesque church are wonderful. Outside, even the grasshoppers keep reverentially quiet. If feeding the flesh is as important to you as feeding the spirit, then there's a very pleasant little coffee shop in the car park a few hundred yards away. Tickets are 9€ and can be bought in advance on...
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