A magical place
In 1995, Annemarie and Dhruv had the fortune of purchasing the monastery. With the help of family and friends, they embarked on a tasteful and passionate renovation of the building and its grounds. Nestled in a gentle valley,this enchanting place, left to rack and ruin from its turbulent history, seemed to emanate a call to welcome visitors as it once had in times past. It therefore seemed natural to Annemarie and Dhruv to extend their previous experiences of hospitality by using the monastery to welcome groups travelling in the area.
— YOUR STAY AT THE MONASTERY —
Living on-site themselves, Annemarie and Dhruv invite you to recharge your batteries in this delightful natural habitat, whatever the season. Relax in the dappled shade of bamboo in the cloister and smell the bitter aroma of box as you walk down to the natural spring. Bask in the sun beside the pool or take an evening stroll in search of the magnificent sunsets that we so often enjoy here.
— GARDENS & ECOLOGY —
The gardens of the Monastery of Ségriès offer a peaceful and inspiring natural setting, where biodiversity is preserved and respected. Recognized as a “Valeurs Parc” since 2013 and a refuge for birds (LPO) since 2018, the monastery is committed to sustainable practices such as renewable energy production, fruit and vegetable cultivation, and the creation and preservation of natural habitats.
Inspired by the principles of agroecology and permaculture, our gardens house a variety of fruit trees, aromatic plants, and vegetables. Every day, our chef Christophe prepares delicious and authentic meals with fresh garden produce, highlighting the local and seasonal flavors.
Discover the simple and yet elegant beauty of the monastery grounds where every moment invites rejuvenation.
Indoors and outdoors
Cloister with its courtyard and fountain, a true peace haven.
The vegetable garden, the orchard
The gardens, the amphitheater
Dining hall and adjacent terraces ideal for sharing delicious meals and enjoying good company.
Halls with fireplace, piano and projector screens.
Chapel for concerts, seminars and events.
Swimming pool, fitness and well-being area and sauna.
Brief history of the monastery
Around 1856, Monsignor Jordany, bishop of Fréjus and Toulon, ordered a summer residence to be built with a small private chapel on the side in his private grounds at Ségriès, 6km from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. In 1864, he invited the abbot of Sénanque abbey, Reverend Father Marie-Bernard, to start up a Cistercian congregation on site.
The invitation was accepted, and Reverend Father Marie-Bernard was put in charge of building the new house based on plans drawn up by the architect, Abbot Pougnet. Construction of the monastery and chapel began in 1864 and was completed in 1871. The house became known as ‘Notre Dame des Anges de Ségriès’.
Set into the south-facing wall is a magnificent stained-glass window created by the painter Guilbertd’Anelle, director of l’école d’Avignon (school of architecture). It depicts the Virgin Mary surrounded by angels carrying a fillet containing excerpts from her litany. The chapel is decorated by four simple stained-glass side windows in a geometric, lightly colored design. Its vaulted ceiling is emblazoned with the coats of arms of Pope Pie IX whereas those of Monsignor Jordany are sculpted on the outside wall of the monastery entrance hall.
In 1892, the congregation of Sénanque decided to shut down Notre-Dame de Ségriès due to financial setbacks; a string of different owners and occupants ensued. The chapel has not been used as a place of worship since the 1960s. The subsequent addition of false ceiling not only obscured the original vaulted ceiling and stained-glass window, but also caused damage to the dressed stone cornice. The chapel began to fall into ruin with the interior entirely stripped of its contents except for thestalls.
After working in different countries and teaching French to foreigners in various places in Provence, Annemarie and Dhruv Bhandari purchased the monastery out of pure luck at a public auction in 1995. At first, faced with the sheer size of the property and the enormity of the task ahead, they were compelled to call on friends and family for help, restoring the monastery room by room. Each winter, a new section of work would be undertaken to breathe life back into the monastery whilst carefully trying to maintain its atmosphere of meditation and conviviality.
Work started on the chapel in 2013. Within a few months, local craftspeople, decorators, stained-glass artists, and ironmongers had all helped to restore it to its former splendor. It was then ready to be used for all manner of purposes: concerts, yoga retreats; dance, drama and personal development courses, special events, and parties …
The renovation of the chapel was partly funded by FEADER (Fonds européen Agricole pour le développement rural, European agricultural funding for rural development) with support from Parc régional du Verdon, national park; GAL, a local action group, le Conseil général des Alpes-de-Haute-Provenceand le Conseil régional de la région Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, the departmental and regional council respectively.