Dominating the skyline, the Château de Gordes is a fortified 12th-century structure whose dramatic silhouette contributed to the town's nickname as "the Acropolis of Provence." The château was really a fortress with crenellated bastions and round towers in each of its four corners. This is home to the Musée du Château de Gordes (tel. 04-90-72-02-89), site of a collection of works by Flemish-born painter Pol Mora. This collection may be replaced with the oeuvres of other painters during the lifetime of this edition of this guide, including some by surrealist and geometric master Vasarély. It's open daily from 10am to noon and 2 to 6pm. Adults pay 4€ ($5.20) admission; students and persons ages 11 to 18 pay 3€ ($3.90). Entrance is free for children 10 and under.
Some 4km (2 1?2 miles) south of the village, surrounded by a rocky, arid landscape that supports only stunted olive trees and gnarled oaks (the Provençaux refer to this type of terrain as la garrigue), stands the Moulin des Bouillons, route de St-Pantaléon (tel. 04-90-72-22-11), an olive-oil mill so ancient it was mentioned in the 1st-century writings of Pliny the Elder. It's now owned by the stained-glass artist Frédérique Duran, and its interior still has the original Roman floors and the base of the olive press. The complex is open Wednesday through Monday from 10am to noon and 2 to 6pm. A ticket granting admission to the mill costs 5€ ($6.50).
Cousin to the trullis of Italy are the reconstructed bories in the Village des Bories, Les Savournines (tel. 04-90-72-03-48), 3km (2 miles) southwest of town. These mysterious structures are composed of thin layers of stone that spiral upward into a dome. The substantial buildings were constructed without mortar and are surrounded by stone boundary walls of similar construction. Their origin and use is a mystery -- some sources claim they're Neolithic. What is known is that they were inhabited until the early 1800s. Their form suggests they were developed by shepherds and goat herders as shelter for themselves and their flocks. To get here, take D15, veering right beyond a fork at D2. A sign marks another right turn toward the village, where you must park and walk 45 minutes to visit the site. The village is open daily from 9am to 7:30pm. Admission is 5.50€ ($7.15) for adults and 3€ ($3.90) for children.
Founded in 1148, the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, a Cistercian monastery 4km (2 1/2 miles) north of Gordes on D15/D177 (tel. 04-90-72-05-72; www.senanque.fr), sits in isolation surrounded by lavender fields. It was abandoned during the Revolution, reopened in the 19th century, closed again in 1969, and reopened yet again (by the Cistercians) in 1988. The influential 20th-century writer and Catholic theologian Thomas Merton can be counted among those who found peace here. One of Provence's most beautiful medieval monuments, it's open Monday to Saturday from 10am to noon and 2 to 6pm, and Sunday from 2 to 6pm. Admission costs 6€ ($7.80) for adults and 2.50€ ($3.25) for persons ages 6 to 18. It's free for children under 6. Be aware that this is a working monastery, not merely a tourist site. You can attend any of five Masses per day, buy religious souvenirs and texts in the gift shop, and generally marvel at a medieval setting brought back to life.
