Day 4: Luberon, Gordes, Bonnieux, September 2nd

Artists and writers have long flocked to the Lubéron, a string of mountains dotted with age-old villages, castles, and ancient beehive-looking huts called bories.  We parked our vans in the little village of Gordes where music drifted through the streets. While wandering along, we found the source of this music - a lone accordionist who sat playing with her dog at her feet. 

After checking out a small local market for cold drinks, we began a long walk to the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque. We parked where the “P” is on the map in the picture below, then up and around to #3 on the map – the Abbey Sénanque. The famous photo of the Abbey with the lavender fields in the foreground inspired me to take this trip.  

I’ve inserted this picture from the internet to show the stunning fields of lavender in front of the Abbey. The flowers are only visible during the hottest months of the year - July and the beginning of August.

Here is the picture I took of the Abbey in early September. Quite a contrast between the two.

This famous Abbey was founded in 1148 by Cisterian monks and reached its peak in the 13^th and 14^th centuries when it operated four mills and seven granges and owned large estates in Provence. Today, only 11 monks live at Sénanque growing lavender and tending honey bees for their livelihood. A large gift shop is now part of the Abbey, and Individuals can also arrange a stay at the Abbey for spiritual retreats. 
 

Inside the chapel

the courtyard

After an hour tour of the Abbey and a quick self-guided tour through the gift shop, we had a choice of riding back in the van or walking another mile and half uphill on a rocky trail to Gordes. Since it was a sweltering day of 90-plus degrees, more than half of us chose to ride back in the air-conditioned van - so Anne-Charlotte hitchhiked back to Gordes to get one of the vans while we were touring the Abbey. Can’t ask for more than that from a guide!

Once back in Gordes, we had an hour to tour the town, shop, and eat Gelato! I have no real favorite because I love Gelato, but I did not try the lavender though it was a lovely color. The others who tried it told me it did not have much flavor. I did a bit of shopping but for the most part just walking the quaint little streets was delightful. You never know what you might find around the next corner.

Charlotte then picked up the “slackers” (including me) who had ridden back to Gordes and took us to our new hotel Relais de Silence Le Mas de Guilles in Lourmarin. This was a charming hotel complete with swimming pool, serenity pool, robes, slippers and the most incredible bathtub - it was deep and at least 7 feet long! Ah, what a great treat after a very long day of walking.  

Serenity Pool at Le Mas de Guilles

After a relaxing half hour bath, I dressed for dinner. We met on the terrace for a champagne welcome gathering with various appetizers and, oddly enough, potato chips.  Afterwards, we went inside to the restaurant where we had cod wrapped in cellophane and tied with a raffia bow, more fois de gras, and a pear with caramel sauce for dessert. 

 All in all, a most wonderful day.