Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume travel guide
Visit Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France)
Book a visitThe town of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume is situated towards the west of the Var department of Provence and about 34 kilometres east of Aix-en-Provence.
There are several notable sights to visit here that bear witness to the colourful history of the town over the last 800 years, and a little history of the town is useful if you are to understand the importance of Mary Magdalene to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume.
Entering France by boat (at Saintes-Maries-de-le-Mer) after the crucifixion. Mary Magadelene subsequently spent many years living in a cave near here (the Grotte de la Sainte Baume). In the 13th century her tomb was discovered here, and many pilgrims were attracted to the region that became Saint-Maximin.
Explore Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume
France This Way review: the town centre of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume is quite small and the important monuments are close together so a visit need not take very long, although you are likely to want to sit in the shade and enjoy a coffee while you are here!
It is true that the town is quite remote from most of the popular tourist destinations in the region but if you are, for example, following the motorway towards Nice and Cannes, Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume is an interesting place to stop for a while.
A lively town, Saint-Maximin falls in two distinct areas, both of which are interesting to explore: there is an active shopping centre based around Rue General de Gaulle, and the old town centred around the 'Jewish quarter' containing traditional medieval arcaded buildings.
Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume is best known for the 13th century Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, the largest gothic style monument in Provence that dominates the skyline of the town.
The cathedral was built on the site of a much older crypt in order to contain the relics of Mary Magdalene (mainly her skull), as well as other important historical objects.
Although work continued on the cathedral for over three centuries you will notice that the facade and the belltower were never built. Inside the cathedral you can see the crypt and the sarcophagus, and several other important works of art, as well as numerous decorative features and an important 18th century organ.
Another highlight in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume is the Royal Convent of the Dominicans, constructed to house the monks who established a community here from the end of the 12th century.
The convent is situated next to the cathedral and holds the Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume tourist office. The convent has a lovely gothic style cloisters and garden, and is surrounded by other monastic buildings (one wing was demolished after the revolution and rebuilt in the 19th century).
More classical in design, the the substantial Town Hall dates from 1750. It was originally built in order to host the most important pilgrims that visited the relics of Saint Mary-Magdalene in the basilica.
If possible, visit Saint-Maximin on a Wednesday morning, market day, when the town is more lively
Activities in the region
Outdoor leisure activities near Saint-Maximin focus on the extensive Massif de la Sainte-Baume and the views from Mont Aurelien, an extensive 'southern outpost' of the Alps that includes cliffs, ancient forest, caves and lovely scenery such as the Gorges du Caramy and the Cascade du Tombereau.
If you are an enthusiast of small Provencal villages there are several of interest nearby of which Rougiers, Pourcieux and Nans-les-Pins are among our favourites.
You can find more travel ideas in the Var guide and the Provence guide.
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Map of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume and places nearby
Visit near Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume with France This Way reviews
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Salernes
Nicely situated in the Bresque river valley, both the medieval quarter and the shady valley in Salernes should feature on your itinerary
Salernes guide
Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer
The beaches such as Les Lecques, the forest and the pleasant town make Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer a popular summer resort
Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer guide
Aix-en-Provence
The vibrant town of Aix-en-Provence is a traditional Provence town, with many museums and sites of interest, and a very leasant town to visit
Aix-en-Provence guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Var
Address: Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, Brignoles, Provence, 83470, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.450001, longitude 5.86667
Plan your visit to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, Var
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Jardin d’Elie Alexis: remarkable garden (15 km)
- Massif de la Sainte-Baume: site of natural beauty (17 km)
- Montagne Sainte-Victoire: grand site of france (20 km)
- OK Corral: theme park (24 km)
- Lac de Quinson: site of natural beauty (31 km)
- Verdon (rivière): site of natural beauty (31 km)
- Embouchure - Verdon: site of natural beauty (31 km)
- Thoronet Abbey: national monument (32 km)
- Lac d'Esparron: site of natural beauty (33 km)
- Saint Cyr sur Mer: recommended detour (33 km)
- Zoo du Mont Faron: zoo or wildlife park (34 km)
- Barrage de Gréoux: site of natural beauty (34 km)
Market days in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, France
Regular market(s) are held in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume each Wednesday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (Francais)