TouchScreenTravels logo

TouchScreenTravels

Our Touch, your Travels…
  1. Home
  2. Provence’s Best
  3. Topics
  4. DESTINATIONS
  5. Var
  6. St-Maximin-la-Ste-Baume

This is a preview of the full content of our Provence’s Best app.

Please consider downloading this app to support small independent publishing and because:

  • All content is designed for mobile devices and works best there.
  • Detailed in-app maps will help you find sites using your device’s GPS.
  • The app works offline (one time upgrade required on Android versions).
  • All advertising (only present on Android versions) can be removed.

The app will also allow you to:

  • Add custom locations to the app map (your hotel…).
  • Create your own list of favourites as you browse.
  • Search the entire contents using a fast and simple text-search tool.
  • Make one-click phone calls (on phones).
iOS App Store Google Play

St-Maximin-la-Ste-Baume

Final resting place of Mary Magdelane?

Ste-Maximin-la-St-Baume

Located right in the heart of Provence, the ancient town St-Maximin lies at the foot of the Ste-Baume mountains on the bed of a dried up lake.

The town is divided into two parts, the shopping neighbourhood and the old Jewish Quarter. Although named after an early Christian martyr, the town is known for its association with Mary Magdelene.

Legend has it that Mary Magdelene was cast adrift from Alexandria together with, Martha, Lazurus and Sara their servant. All fetched up at Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer after travelling accross the Mediterranean in a small boat. Mary Magdelene travelled from there to St-Maximin-de-la-Ste-Baume and lived in a cave in the Ste-Baume mountains. Her remains are said to buried in the impressive Basilica named after her.

You can't miss the Ste. Madeleine Basilica, a large Gothic structure erected on the foundations of a Merengovian church and built by Charles of Anjou. Vaults were discovered during the construction which contained the relics of Mary Magdelene and St Maximinus, which lead to the site becoming an important pilgrimage centre.

Practical Info Practical Info icon

Tourist Office, Couvent Royal, 83470 Saint Maximin la Sainte Baume, Var.

Website

Var

Text © Paul Shawcross

Images by Paul Shawcross