Silvacane Abbey

Silvacane Abbey is a Cistercian monastery in La Roque-d'Anthéron featuring clean architectural lines and stone pointed vaults throughout its interior. The building displays the plain, ordered style typical of Cistercian design from the 12th century.

The monastery was founded in 1144 by monks from Morimond Abbey and took its name from the reed forest surrounding the area between the Luberon and Côtes mountains. This establishment became part of the Cistercian expansion across the region.

The abbey shapes local cultural life today, regularly hosting concerts and events within its restored medieval spaces. People value this place for bringing music and community together under its ancient stone walls.

Plan time to explore the church, cloister, and monastic buildings throughout the grounds. Early morning or early afternoon visits tend to be quieter, allowing you to walk through the spaces at your own pace.

The monastery was among the early places where pointed vaults were used in Provence and represents an important chapter in medieval building techniques. This architectural innovation was still rare in church buildings of that region at the time.