In the Footsteps of Saint Mary Magdalene

from Plan d’Aups to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume

Stage 10

After yesterday’s unique spiritual experience, your journey continues in the Sainte-Baume hills. This stage leads you to the area’s capital, Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, and the final destination of your voyage in the footsteps of Saint Mary Magdalene.

Stage profile

Length: 26 km
Uphill slope: 547 m – Downhill slope: 917 m
Length: 6½ hrs on foot
Difficulty: fairly difficult

On your way: Landscapes and relief

Your hike in the Sainte-Baume hills starts out from the Hostellerie de la Sainte-Baume and heads rapidly onto Chemin des Roys, where you’ll wind your way through deliciously cool underwoods. A little further on, Chemin de l’Orge gives way to Chemin de Ménarguette. Pause awhile to admire the typical Mediterranean vegetation of the Sainte-Baume Regional Nature Reserve. What an amazing way to visit Provence! Next, you’ll follow a canal leading to the Cauron aqueduct before arriving at the world-famed Basilique Sainte Marie-Madeleine basilica in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume.

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Must-see sights: keep your eyes peeled

Eglise Saint-Jaume, founded in Plan d’Aups in circa 5 AD, is definitely worth a stop-off and offers a magnificent testimonial to the site’s religious past. Marking the final destination of your spiritual wanderings, the Basilique Sainte Marie-Madeleine basilica in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume is a breathtaking structure measuring an awe-inspiring 73 metres in length and 43 metres in height. This monumental construction harbours the relics of Saint Mary Magdalene, in particular her skull.

Where to sleep?

Three exceptional addresses await you for your night in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume. The Monastère Sainte Marie-Madeleine is a place of worship that also welcomes pilgrims; the nuns offer simple and comfortable rooms as well as food. The Hôtel de France boasts all the charm and comfort you need to wind up your 10-day hike through this little corner of France in style! At Le Grand Saint-Mitre, you can opt for the self-catering Gîte Jacotte or Gîte Magali – whichever suits you best. The Var area’s vine-filled countryside forms a gorgeous backdrop to these one-of-a-kind lodgings.

Find out more

Practical info

Contact : Office de Tourisme La Provence Verte – Carrefour de l’Europe 83170 Brignoles / +33(0)4 94 72 04 21 / www.la-provence-verte.net contact@provenceverte.fr

Top adresses

Hôtel de FranceHOTEL - RESTAURANT

The Hôtel de France and its Côté Jardin restaurant welcome you in a Provençal and modern setting. This former Relais de Poste, offers 20 perfectly equipped rooms: new bedding,...

Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume

Les moniales

Gîte Saint-Mitre

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20, 17)

Words from the Gospels to meditate on

See the "Step by Step" directions