圣玛德莲教堂

保持教堂原始的状况，没有太多的修饰，进到里面后马上就可以感受到那份宁静，如果可以先了解教堂过去的历史，应该可以会更有感受，如果遇到导览团，也可以插花听听，不过好像法国团和英文团比较多。

Despite the darkness of the Basilica & it's need for renovation, we enjoyed visiting the crypt with its apparent skull of Mary Magdalene. I wasn't sure if the sarcophagus belong to her as it has several carvings on it of disciples who did not approve of her; but I like the idea!

The basilica is not particulary beautiful and in need of repair, but the Retable by Ronzon, with many references to existing places at the time, is magnificent.

Here you can go downstairs where relics of Mary Magdelene are buried. We were given a special mass by the priest who officiates here. It is a truly awesome place. And it is nice and cool!

serene amongst the bustle of the town - so large for what appears to be a small 'original' town - parking can be troublesome

It is great place to visit while in Provence. Great landscapes, amazing experience. Highly recommended

Passing a number of times I finally visited the basilica of St Maximine la saint Baume. Impressive arches and a beautiful pipe organ. The crypt with the relics of Mary Magdalene was a bit creepy though.

Once in Aix-En-Provence, after having visited the city, the first visit is worth doing in the small town of St. Maximin. A relatively flat town but has luck and happiness to house the sarcophagus of St. Mary Magdalene. Basilica is an imposing building, far above all the construction of houses in Saint Maximin .... the outside looks scary but inside teh church you fill your heart with warm and light ...

Beautiful, Pipe organ, statues. Lovely. Highly recommend visiting La Sainte Baume grotto. We were a bit confused on how to find the grotto and ancient forest. The tourist office is right behind the church and they were quite helpful.

The basilique is a monument of history. Sainte-Marie Madeleine is supposed to be buried in the crypt. You won't read this in the "Da Vinci Code" but for the french Church this is the place. Every year in the end of July the local feast is a great moment. The rests of the saint are the star of procession guided through the village by the bishop, the monks, followed by many people singing old provençal cantiques accompanied by traditional instruments like tambourins and fifers. The organ also is impressive. One of the most important in France its sounds magic. The pity is that the basilique lacks money, so it takes much time to be restored. Some paintings and woods are deeply affected by the situation.

If you are in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume you can visit this Basilique. Nice to see and fun to walk around.

As we were returning from Sainte-Baume Holy Cave we saw the basilica in the city so we decided to turn around an visit it. Smart choice. Inside there was a pipe concert, Michel Tissier was playing. The resonance was great. From outside the basilica shows a mixture of old styles as the sections were constructed in different years. Inside the are more chapels beautiful designed, still keeping old paints and religious objects. You can go close to the altar and admire the beautiful old furniture where the chorus was singing. On a side you can visit the crypt where the relics of Mary Magdalene are kept. We had no idea there are kept in France before visiting this place. There is no entrance fee to visit the basilica, but you can buy a candle and so contribute to the restoration work that is still done. You can leave you car nearby (some 100 m) in a free parking place (follow the signs, it's easy). Next to the basilica is the town hall (beautiful architecture, also in restoration). We had no time to visit more of the city because of the rain but we didn't regret the stop.

Superb! See photos and more info on Facebook - Search Mary Magdalene The Untold Story. Travelled there last year from Paris via train to Marseilles then rented car and drove in rain to get there. The basillica and tomb are overwhelmingly beautiful. I was disappointed I didn't get to grotto due to the rain. But, she is bringing me back on a luxury liner and I will drive again from Monaco this time! I booked cruise without any idea that our stop in Monaco was only 90 miles from the tomb. Going back in 3 weeks and can't wait. I am so thrilled and excited! I know the sun will be shining this trip! MM is so very, very special. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

I was in St. Maximin right during the festival where they parade Mary Magdalene's skull around...that's right, they claim to have the skull of Mary Magdalene, and during July, they parade it around the town. She wears a gold mask, to protect her delicate bones from the harsh Provençal sun. Afterwards, she resides behind the Rood screen inside the Basilica. I'm told that she normally is kept downstairs in the crypt. Whether or not you believe all the hype about relics and Mary Magdalene coming to Provence, it's awesome to experience and it's still the skull of someone who died around the 1st century CE.

La visite vaut le détour, avec le couvent Royal mais une demi journée suffit pour Saint Maximin. L office de Tourisme vous accueille sans sourire pour vous dire que le couvent ferme 12 h 30 sans vous proposer le moindre guide ou audio guide pour la visite. Nous étions arrives à 11 h 45