Saint-Maximin-La-Sainte-Baume: Discover Culture and Wine

Saint-Maximin-La-Sainte-Baume brings together religious heritage, historical exhibitions and wine country. This gives you a choice of different priorities when planning your trip: you can focus on the basilica and its architectural history, include the exhibitions and tours at the Maison de l’Histoire et du patrimoine, or choose a route through the wine country. You can weigh up your interests when choosing a hotel.

Basilica, Relics and Couvent Royal

The Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine houses the relics of Mary Magdalene and is described as the third tomb of Christendom. In the Var and Provence, the basilica is regarded as the largest Gothic building. Its crypt contains the skull of Mary Magdalene and sarcophagi associated with Saint Maximin, Saint Sidoine and Saint Marcelle. The building thus brings together Gothic architecture and religious tradition, with specific relics and sarcophagi.

The Couvent Royal adjoins the basilica and is listed as a historic monument of France. Visitors can see a restored cloister with centuries-old trees at the Couvent. The two buildings therefore offer different cultural highlights: the basilica focuses on Gothic architecture and religious heritage, while the Couvent features its cloister and ancient trees.

Tours and Historical Exhibitions

The Maison de l’Histoire et du patrimoine offers visitors tours introducing various heritage sites in the area. Exhibits include archaeological finds from excavations dating back to prehistoric times, models reconstructing architectural elements and historical postcards. These displays bring together archaeological evidence, reconstructed architectural forms and historical views. Unlike the basilica, a single building, the tours direct attention to several heritage sites in the area. The Maison thus complements a focus on architecture and religious heritage with other historical places and different ways of presenting them.

Wine Country Along the VTC Route

The VTC route “La plaine viticole et maraîchère de Saint-Maximin” is 8.5 kilometres long and rated easy. It starts at Place Malherbe and follows unmarked paths. Along small country roads, it passes vineyards and offers panoramic views. Its length and rating give you an indication of distance and difficulty; the unmarked route is a separate practical consideration. Check the route conditions before setting off. If you are interested in wine country, this route focuses on the vineyards and views along the way.

Winemaking and Tasting

“Le Tour des vignes” focuses on grape varieties, traditional winemaking processes and tasting. The guided tour introduces visitors to typical grape varieties of the region and traditional winemaking processes. During the season, you can sample fresh grapes straight from the vine; the tour concludes with a guided tasting in the wine cellar. The two wine experiences therefore have different focuses: the VTC route passes vineyards and offers panoramic views, while “Le Tour des vignes” introduces grape varieties and winemaking methods and ends with a tasting in the wine cellar.

Discover more destinations: Fayence, Cavalaire-Sur-Mer, La Bastide, Bormes-Les-Mimosas, Garéoult, Sollies-Toucas, Entrecasteaux, Auribeau-Sur-Siagne.

For the overview of the wider region: Var.