Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume och Maria Magdalenas grav

Now we've started rolling north from the French coast, and on the way we've visited the town of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume and what is considered to be the tomb of Mary Magdalene. There are many interesting things to see in this area, and we have now set our sights on a very exciting destination.

Table of contents

From Le Lavandou and northwards

Then it was time for us to leave the coast of France and roll north with the motorhome! After the visit to the beautiful island Porquerolles we rolled to Brignoles, where we spent the night. The supermarket Casino's car park was indicated as a parking place, free and without service. A little unexpected perhaps, but here we spent the night together with another motorhome and a lorry.

Ställplats Brignoles — Pitches in the car park outside the Casino supermarket in Brignoles.

Saint-Maximin-le-Sainte-Baume

Our first stop the next day was the lovely little town of Saint-Maximin-le-Sainte-Baume. This small town, dominated by the mighty basilica, is home to around 15,000 people and feels like a genuine part of France. We parked outside a grocery store and slowly walked up to the church, while accidentally shopping for a dress, a top and a pair of shorts ...

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Basilica of St Mary Magdalene

The Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine is a Gothic-style church dedicated to Mary Magdalene. Construction of the church began in 1295 and continued in various stages until 1532. At that time, construction was completed, even though it was not quite finished. The basilica is powerful when seen from a distance, and very tall and grand inside.

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Crypt and tomb of Mary Magdalene

After Jesus was crucified, according to legend, Mary Magdalene escaped by boat and landed in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. She settled in a cave outside Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, and later died in the arms of Saint Maximine, the Bishop of Aix-en-Provence.

According to the same legend, Mary's relics were kept in a sarcophagus until 710, when they were buried to protect them from the Muslims. They then disappeared until 1279, when they were said to have been miraculously found. And now, of course, they wanted to build a mighty basilica to house the newly found relics!

In the crypt under the basilica are four sarcophagi from the 3rd century, which are believed to contain, among other things, the relics of Mary Magdalene. However, several cities and churches seem to have competed with each other to have the real relics, and it is of course always difficult to know what is true and what is not in such old stories. If you want to delve deeper into the subject, you can read, among other things The history blog in Svenska Dagbladet. At least it's a bit titillating!

Towards new adventures!

There is a lot to see in this part of France, and we planned to visit Aix-en-Provence, which is supposed to be a charming city. We actually circled around the town, but couldn't find anywhere to stay with the campervan... That's for another year, when we have time to stay at a campsite in town!

Even the amphitheatre in Nîmes and the aqueduct outside Avignon will have to be saved for another year. We had our sights set on an even more interesting destination, which seems to be absolutely fantastic. We will tell you more soon!

We drove past the town of Pont-Saint-Esprit

20 Comments

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Ama de casa says:

Haha! My strongest memory from Aix-en-Provence was a particularly crowded parking garage that we finally found where I stood and chanted "It will NEVER work!"... I understand very well that you didn't find a place to dispose of a whole motorhome... 😀.

08 August 2018 - 9:02

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Haha, no it wasn't easy to park... And our "little" Fiat is 7.30 metres long and 3.10 metres high... But we saw a campsite that was reasonably close to the centre, so that's certainly the solution! 🙂
  
  08 August 2018 - 12:32
  
Mr Steve says:

Fun to "accidentally" shop for something just like that.

All these legends, true or not. They are at least sustainable over time.

A cliffhanger is always exciting.

08 August 2018 - 9:22

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, fun when you fall over shopping bargains 🙂 And yes, a really fantastic place we have found! Will tell you soon 🙂
  
  08 August 2018 - 12:34
  
Renate's travels says:

How exciting with Maria Magdalena's tomb! Maybe you will also visit Carcassonne? 😀

08 August 2018 - 11:06

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Carcassonne is nice and interesting, but we were there in 2015. So it's a different place this time 😉.
  
  08 August 2018 - 14:40
  
Kristina says:

Nice to see you in my old neighbourhood. That church is visible from afar which made me curious. But the crypt mostly made me think about detective stories and how long it would take before I was found, if I was trapped down there (was there right at closing time). Sig is nice, but difficult to park....

08 August 2018 - 12:14

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Oh, is this what good old neighbourhoods are all about? Funny! What eerie thoughts FU got down there! We never thought so, but then it was the middle of the day and some people!
  
  08 August 2018 - 14:42
  
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

When you jump both the amphitheatre in Nimes and the aqueduct at Avignon, it's a real cliffhanger which exciting place you're heading to......
Waiting for continuation....

08 August 2018 - 12:54

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  A really exciting place, we promise! 🙂
  
  08 August 2018 - 14:48
  
BP says:

I also like the legend of Mary Magdalene, whether it is true or not. Then I like the side mirror on Freedom that works as a washing line;-) A little spontaneous shopping is often the best, at least for me. If I plan to buy something, I never find what I want.
It will be exciting to read where you ended up:-)

08 August 2018 - 15:38

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Haha, yes we always use the "ears" on Freedom as a washing line! As good as any 🙂
  
  09 August 2018 - 6:54
  
Travel Linda says:

It's a shame when you can't implement your plans due to a lack of parking facilities, but you seem to have your sights set on something good, so I'm sure that makes up for it!

08 August 2018 - 19:24

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  It is an annoying obstacle when you don't manage to park, but yes, we had our sights set on something exciting! 🙂
  
  09 August 2018 - 6:55
  
diana's dreams says:

How wonderful you have it :)hugs

08 August 2018 - 20:13

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Fantastically exciting to travel around Europe! 🙂
  
  09 August 2018 - 6:56
  
Monet says:

Oh, it will be so fun to see what you think! I think I know where you are .....
Lovely old hoods for us to visit - the basilica and Mary's head were interesting, weren't they? Looking forward to tomorrow's report!

08 August 2018 - 21:25

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Very interesting! Many thanks for the tip! And for all the other tips of course!!! Hard to get everything we want, but if we have things left, we have a reason to come back! 🙂
  
  09 August 2018 - 6:57
  
Mia's Mix says:

Exciting reading! And what nice houses with cosy colours. Have mostly followed you on instagram now. Do not really have time for all blogs. But thought to check since you lived in Iceland. We are thinking of going up to Stykkisholmur and staying there one night and going around there on the sea island. But at the same time it will be so much driving. So I wonder if you have been there and if it is worth it already?

08 August 2018 - 23:48

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Unfortunately, I can't answer ... I have driven around the whole of Iceland once, but never went to Stykkisholmur. Have heard that it should be nice though! But can not answer whether it is worth it or not unfortunately. It probably also depends on how much time you have, what you like and whether it is foggy or not. (When I lived in Iceland, I lived on the island of Hemön / Westmannayejar south of the main island ;)).
  
  09 August 2018 - 7:03

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Ardeche in France - and Pont d'Arc | FREEDOMtravel

Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume and the tomb of Mary Magdalene

From Le Lavandou and northwards

Saint-Maximin-le-Sainte-Baume

Basilica of St Mary Magdalene

Crypt and tomb of Mary Magdalene

Towards new adventures!

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20 Comments

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Mr Steve says:

Helena says:

Renate's travels says:

Helena says:

Kristina says:

Helena says:

Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Travel Linda says:

Helena says:

diana's dreams says:

Helena says:

Monet says:

Helena says:

Mia's Mix says:

Helena says:

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