In the small town of La Celle en Provence, the 12th century Benedictine Abbey, celebrated for its Provencale Roman style and a national monument since 1886, has been renovated and is for the first time in years open to the public. Alain Ducasse’s Michelin-starred L’Hostellerie de L’Abbaye de la Celle, adjoins the medieval site.
Originally, the Abbey welcomed the daughters and wives of rich Provencale families; monks and nuns both occupied the site in which there are two churches and two cloisters. After a renovation project lasting several years, the glorious cloisters, barrel-roof refectory and dormitories have all been restored and now accept visitors without charge.
A temporary exhibition will run until the end of 2016, housed in the main dormitory. Showcasing the antique trade in consumer goods around the Mediterranean it contains ceramics made in Spain and Italy, glassware from Syria and other Roman objects from Greece and Tunisia – all found during searches of wrecks off the Var coast. On Several Sundays, including 18 & 25 September and 23 October there will be choral concerts in the Abbey, including both secular and religious Renaissance songs.
In 1999, Alain Ducasse fell in love with the 18th century residence located in the centre of La Celle en Provence. He restored this elegant old house to its original nobility. At L’Hostellerie de L’Abbaye de la Celle, nestled in the heart of the prestigious vineyards of the Coteaux Varois, guests can now enjoy an authentic Mediterranean cuisine which, since 2006, has been awarded a Michelin Star.