HOLY BALM SHRINE

One of the most famous sanctuaries in Provence in an exceptional setting. According to tradition, Saint Mary Magdalene arrived at the Sainte-Baume in the year 47. Saint Jean Cassien founded a first priory there around 415. In the^5th century, the presence of the monks of the abbey of Saint Victor of Marseille is proven. On the orders of Charles II of Anjou, Count of Provence and future King of Sicily, excavations were carried out in 1279 in Saint-Maximin, which revealed the discovery of the relics of Mary Magdalene. The Mary Magdalene brotherhood was founded in 1629 by Pope Urbain VIII. Between 1789 and 1793, the place was plundered by the revolutionaries, leading to the departure of the Dominicans. The buildings were sold as national property and bought back in 1791 by the Marquis of Albertas. Between 1824 and 1834, a religious presence was assured by the Trappist fathers and then by the Capuchin fathers in a farm on the plateau. In 1859, the convent of Saint-Maximin was bought by Father Lacordaire who reinstalled the Dominicans there and had the hostelry built on the plain. A real revival of the pilgrimage then took place. In 1900, 1901 and 1913, Charles de Foucauld's visits were repeated. Continuing the development of the sanctuary, Father Vayssiére restored the stairs leading to the grotto with the same number of steps as the Ave du Rosaire and the calvary was inaugurated. We also owe him the construction of Nazareth. Closed in 1997 for renovation, the grotto was reopened in 2002 and four Dominicans settled there. As for the guesthouse, it was taken over by the friars in 2008. Nowadays, the presence and the important investment of the Dominicans have given new life to this long page of history as well as to the notoriety and the development of the sanctuary. They welcome you to their monastery every day of the year with a permanent welcome, daily liturgy and the possibility of confession. The only way to get there is on foot. It takes about 45 minutes to walk. There are several ways of access. The path of the Roys is the least difficult. It starts at the edge of the departmental road, a few hundred metres from the hostelry, at the car park known as the "three oaks". Times and services at the grotto: the grotto is open in winter from 8.30am to 5pm with mass at 11am and vespers at 4.30pm. In summer, the doors are open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with mass at 11 a.m. and Vespers at 6 p.m. (4:30 p.m. on Sundays). The pilgrim's shop : you will find souvenirs, religious objects, postcards, books and records.