Lavender ladies

The prerequisite lavender shot with the abbey in the background.
Complete with the prerequisite Japanese tourists in the background

GORDES - We caught the lavender just as it was starting to bloom outside the famous Abbey Notre Dame de Senanque. The abbey itself is a very moving place to visit, dating back to 1148 and still an active monastery (which is partially funded by the monks' cultivating of the lavender). It's located just a few clicks from the breathtaking hilltop village of Gordes, which is a regular stop on our tours of Provence with visitors. This time our Irish friends Ike and Rose and their kids Lucy and David were the victims...er beneficiaries. After a lazy French lunch in Gordes we navigated our way down the steep incline to Senanque and the abbey,  and explored for a while.

Toni dressed to complement the natural beauty

Lindsey, Lucy & Lavender

Nice place to live if you don't like talking much