A RESTORED ABBEY
Thoronet abbey was founded in 1136, as a community of monks from the abbey of Mazan in the Ardeche, when Raymond de Berenger, Count of Barcelona and Marquis of Provence permitted its foundation on his lands. It became a true abbey in 1196, and remained so for over five centuries, by 1790 however only seven old monks lived there. Prosper Mérimee discovered it and saved it from oblivion, by pointing it out to Revoil, the architect responsible for historic monuments. The restoration work has continued since 1873 up until the present day.

THE MOST ANCIENT
It is the most ancient Cistercian abbey still preserved in its original state. The church façade with an almost total absence of doors confirms the desire to renounce on the world, which was the thinking of the reformers. Of a rather basic and austere style, its harmonic proportions making it appear larger than it actually is. The church has a basilica plan and is in the form of a Latin cross. What is interesting about the lateral buildings such as inside the cloister is the absence of any monument testifying to a more ancient period of Cistercian art. Of particular note is also the fountain inside the cloister symbolizing the fountain of youth, in this truly spiritual setting.

A SPIRITUAL ROUTE
The Cistercian abbey of Thoronet together with the other two Provençal abbeys of Silvacane and Notre Dame de Sénanque, represented the desire for the reform and purification of monastic life which became apparent at the end of the XI century. Ascetic values and poverty once again becoming the central features of the monastic lifestyle. All decorations were abolished, and the style became basic and unadorned, nothing distracting the silence and mediation. With the end of the era of the adorned sculpted portals, the abbey became increasingly insular and it was only possible to hear the chants of the monks.