Free walking tours in Le Thoronet and what to see

Must-sees

Le Thoronet is a village in the inland Var, surrounded by hills covered in Mediterranean woodland, between Lorgues and Carcès. Its big visit is the Cistercian abbey, built between the second half of the 12th century and the early 13th century by monks who came from Mazan Abbey, in the Ardèche. Together with Sénanque and Silvacane it forms the trio of Cistercian abbeys of Provence. The order’s austerity shows in every stone: bare walls, almost no decoration and carefully measured light.

You will explore the Romanesque church, the cloister, the chapter house and the monks’ dormitory, as well as the old cellar. The church’s acoustics are highly prized and often used for singing and concerts. After the Revolution the building was badly damaged, and Prosper Mérimée championed its restoration in the 19th century. The abbey is run by the Centre des monuments nationaux. The village, a few kilometres away, keeps a small old centre.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Le Thoronet. The activity Civitatis offers is a ticket for the abbey, which you can visit at your own pace. The monument itself has guided tours in French and audio guides in several languages, including English.

How long to spend

The abbey takes an hour to an hour and a half to visit. With half a day you can add a stroll around the village or on the trails in the nearby woods. If you have a full day, head to Lorgues, Cotignac or Entrecasteaux, Provençal villages a short drive away, or to the Carcès lake for a walk along its shore.

Where to stay

Le Thoronet has few places to stay, mostly country cottages, chambres d’hôtes and the odd small hotel on the outskirts. For more options, Lorgues is very close and has restaurants and charming hotels. Cotignac and Carcès are good quiet alternatives. If you prefer a town, Draguignan or Brignoles have more choice, and from there the abbey is just over half an hour’s drive.