Abbaye de Montmajour, near Arles
Enormous Benedictine abbey
The Montmajour abbey was founded in 948 by the Benedictines. It sits on a large rock and is surrounded by protected surrounding countryside.
It's an impressive set of buildings, wonderfully restored and looked after, and is an ideal spot for those seeking a moment of peace and contemplation.
Van Gogh was fascinated by the abbey and produced many paintings of it from 1888 to 1889.
The Montmajour site offers stunning, panoramic views across the Alpilles mountains and the Crau plain – a marsh in the Middle Ages and now used as grazing land for horses and bulls, as well as for rice-growing. The area is part private property and part land managed by the Conservatoire du Littoral.
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When to come
The abbey is open from 1st June to 30th September for visits, from 10:00 - 18:30 every day of the week.
How to get passes
Tickets can be bought on arrival and are 7.50 euros for adults and free for under 26 year olds.
