Thoronet

Abbaye du Thoronet is a former Cistercian abbey situated on the way from Draguignan to Brignoles. It was build between 1160-1230.  

I recommend everyone participate in the mass. It is true that it takes almost two hours but visiting a church without participation in the mass is like visiting an empty theater. It was built for worship service and  it's interesting to see how it fulfills its function.

It is a typical Cistercian temple without unnecessary ornaments. Beautiful in its purity. Nothing distracts -  marvelous lights and shadows slide on the nacked walls. There is an amazing acustic.

All this remainds me the churches of Le Corbusier. He was there in 1953.* 

*information from the website of the monument