L'Abbaye du Thoronet

My "coup de coeur" of Provence. I tremendously enjoyed my time there. The historical tour with our guide was such a joy, especially after having read "Pillars of the Earth".

The third in a trio of Cisternian abbeys (the other two are Silvacane and Notre-Dame de Sénanque, the Abbaye du Thoronet is remarkable for its austere architecture: pure proportions, perfectly dressed stone and the subtle fall of light and shadow are where its beauty lies. Built between 1160 and 1230, it became an inspiration for generations of architects. More info at Wikipedia.

More pics of the Thoronet