Lavendar – Haiku 2024 Thursday Doors

Posted bySuzette BenjaminPosted inPoetryTags:
Sénanque Abbey, Provence, France Licensed image credit: © Aleh Varanishcha | Dreamstime

no door as fragrant

as the scent of lavendar

and solitude’s balm

*

The first of the “Three Sisters of Provence,” Sénanque Abbey, near Gordes, Provence, France, rose from a few monk huts on the land where their current building stands. The Abbey, with its chapel consecrated in 1178, has withstood time and historical challenges and remains in its original Romanesque style and footprint.

Three Cistercian monasteries in Provence, France, are affectionately termed members of The Three Sisters of Provence: Sénanque Abbey, Silvacane Abbey, and Le Thoronet Abbey.

Sénanque Abbey has no official door for public entrance, per se.

Sénanque Abbey was intended as a private cloister for the monks who work the land and hand-copy texts in the Scriptorium.

*I did manage to find a couple of side entrance photos. See images below.

However, as you might have noticed, from the featured image, the star of Sénanque Abbey monastery is the copious and famous fields of lavender cultivated and curated by the monks who also grow olives and tend bees. Sénanque Abbey’s picturesque rows of lavender are iconic of the region of Provence.

Back door. Sénanque Abbey, Provence France. Licensed image credit: © Santiago Rodríguez Fontoba | Dreamstime

Side doors most commonly used for entrance.  Sénanque Abbey, Provence France. Licensed image credit: © Anthony Shaw | Dreamstime

Trivia #1: Apart from the constant stream of visitors arriving to enjoy the marquee lavender fields in this idyllic setting hidden behind a hill, Sénanque Abbey does welcome individuals desiring a private retreat/stay for contemplation upon request.

Trivia #2: Did you know that there is a Lavender Museum? The world’s only Lavender Museum (The Musée de la Lavande Luberon) dedicated to sharing information on the qualities of French Lavender is located a few short kilometers (10.5 km) from Sénanque Abbey in the town of Cabrières d’Avignon.

Sénanque Abbey, Provence France. Licensed image credit: © Prochasson Frederic | Dreamstime
Aerial view, Sénanque Abbey, Provence France Licensed image credit: © Prochasson Frederic | Dreamstime.
Sénanque Abbey, Provence France. Licensed image credit: © Aleh Varanishcha | Dreamstime
Sénanque Abbey, Provence, France. Licensed image credit: © Aleh Varanishcha | Dreamstime

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Published by Suzette Benjamin

Positive thinker, inspirational, writer, faith

59 thoughts on “Lavendar – Haiku 2024 Thursday Doors”

  1. Pingback: Lavendar – Haiku 2024  Thursday Doors | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  3. The history of Sénanque Abbey is indeed a breathtaking read. I’m in awe of the lavender fields that stretch before its austere stone facade. Their fragrance a testimony to monks in quiet labour. The Abbey’s simplicity with no grand door to proclaim its presence, instead welcomes the lonely wander through the embrace of its surroundings – a beautifully scented field of lavender.

    The lavendar museum is such a wonderful tribute to the humble bloom and part of the Abbey’s.

    Breathtaking Thursday Offering

    Liked by 1 person

    1. As Spring unfolds in the South and winter falls here I was happy to add a bit of Summer flare out there..
      Did you know that the original monks who founded Sénanque abbey went out and searched the land for the hardest place to cultivate anything and setup up their huts there (the usual Cistercian way of life). Soon after, thanks to the generosity of the landowner it became what it is today. So growing in that soil is not an easy row to plough…so to speak. The perfume of lavendar added to by the efforts of the monks determination…an offering indeed!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lol, I just love your opening line unfolding, falling here and the flare there.
        Thank you for bringing some summer flare with your lovely lavender haiku.
        That is absolutely noble that they sort out the hardest place to cultivate, and now just look what was borne from their noble quest.
        Once again the generosity of the wealthy in those days is observed and the positive impact it had on the Abbey and to think that it has sister Abbeys is just amazing.
        I love this perfumed Thursday offering.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Glad you like the references to the seasons. Here in this postcardlike wonderland today… its like summer is falling and all the petals are white…lol!
        I delight that you found good value in your reading of the share. I delight.
        Blessings to your day beyond measure…

        “There’s no use trying to live in other people’s opinions. The only thing to do is live in your own” – L. M. Montgomery’

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Lol, you are hilarious. So funny 😁
        It’s actually snowing today? 🌨

        Wishing you great blessings on “summer” wonderland today

        Thank you also for the interesting quote since I love reading the opinions of others I should be careful not to just carelessly living in them too.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Yes it is snowing the white fluffy kind of snow today. Thank you for the wonderland wishes. You are welcome for the quote just my own meditations this morning I wanted to share.. And a great day to you as well!

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Ok, is the white fluffy kind of snow also thick or just white and fluffy not ready to make a white snowy blanket yet?

        Thank you for sharing your meditations I appreciate this one more, honestly. It brings a deep sense of freedom with it.

        Enjoy your wonderland!!

        Liked by 1 person

    1. So glad to hear that you like this architectural stlye Liz. I will have to find more examples to share. I tend towards Gothic because I studied that style. Won’t hurt for me to venture out. Thank you for your comment and support. Have a good one!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. What a lovely structure and pleasant ambience! And Lavendar museum, name itself is fascinating. Your beautiful haiku covers all just in in three lines. Well done, Suzette!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. “Ambience” that’s it. Glad you enjoyed the efforts at ambience today, in this share. That is all I was hoping for. Thank you for your astute gaze at the haiku and share in general. Namaste.

      Like

  12. The fields of lavender are spectacular. The abbey itself looks very much like a place for retreat and meditation. Beautiful but unassuming, a place to turn inward. (K)

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  14. Oh, I do love the awesome lavender fields of France. Beautiful poem that creates the atmosphere for this incredible place. It needs to go on my list to visit. Thank you, Suzette, for sharing this. I’ll need to visit the museum as well. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  16. The abbey and the lavender need each other. Without the lavender, the abbey would seem stark; without the abbey, the lavender would be merely a purple plant. But the abbey makes the lavender an extravagance, and the lavender makes the abbey somewhat cloud-like, I think. What ethereal beauty in the combination. I love your wording about the door of fragrance and solitude!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I love your words and descriptives Maureen. Yes indeed the Abbey and the lavender are one. A beauty seen as a whole…great point! Glad you enjoyed the poem. Blessings to your weekend. Have a lovely day…Peace

      Liked by 1 person

  17. What a gorgeous setting and Haiku, Suzette. I’m glad I found a quiet moment to return here to read it in perfect peace.
    ~~~
    fragrant solitude
    no sound ‘cept perfume weaving
    canonical prayers
    ~~~
    Thank you dear Suzette.
    DD

    Liked by 1 person

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