Montmajour Abbey
Arles, France
A fortified Benedictine abbey on a rocky hill north of Arles, often drawn by Van Gogh. The tower gives a wide view over the old marshes; it is rarely crowded.
Montmajour Abbey stands on a rocky hill north of Arles. In 949 the Frankish noblewoman Teucinde left the then island to a group of hermits who were to live by the Benedictine Rule; in 963 the monastery was raised to the status of an abbey. What survives is the Romanesque church with its crypt, the cloister built from the 12th century onwards and the 26 m defensive tower that Abbot Pons de l’Orme had built from 1369 as protection against marauding bands of mercenaries. From the top the view stretches across the Crau plain and the Alpilles.
Vincent van Gogh often drew and painted here in 1888; in a letter he wrote that he had been to Montmajour at least fifty times. Allow one to two hours for the church, cloister and tower. The site is run by the Centre des monuments nationaux; check opening times on the official website before you go (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- Arles, France
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 43.7055, 4.6630
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping HuttopiaCampsite5 km from Montmajour AbbeyTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Les ManadesCampsite7 km from Montmajour AbbeyTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Le TartarinCampsite11 km from Montmajour AbbeyTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping municipal des RomarinsCampsite12 km from Montmajour AbbeyTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Aire de BellegardeMotorhome stopover12 km from Montmajour Abbey · 6 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping Lou VincenCampsite17 km from Montmajour Abbey · 79 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Montmajour Abbey?
Montmajour Abbey is in Arles, France, at GPS 43.7055, 4.6630. It is about 4 km from Fontvieille.
Can you camp near Montmajour Abbey?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping City, about 4 km away; within 25 km there are 34 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Montmajour Abbey?
Montmajour Abbey is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Alpilles and Montagne Sainte-Victoire.
What is there to see near Montmajour Abbey?
Places worth a stop nearby: Les Baux-de-Provence (11 km), Glanum (16 km), Camargue wetlands (27 km) and Arènes de Nîmes (28 km).
When is the best time to visit Montmajour Abbey?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)