Sainte-Baume
Massif de la Sainte-Baume
A Provençal limestone mountain range with the Cave of Mary Magdalene on its cliffs. The old beech forests on the northern slope are ideal for hiking.
Sainte-Baume is a limestone ridge between Toulon and Marseille, with its highest point at about 1,148 meters. The Sainte-Baume Forest on the north slope is one of the few ancient beech and linden forests in the Mediterranean. Tradition holds that Mary Magdalene lived as a hermit for thirty years in a cave on the cliff. Today the cave is a pilgrimage shrine cared for by the Dominicans. From the Hostellerie de Sainte-Baume near Plan-d'Aups, it takes about 1 hour on forest stone steps to reach the holy cave. You can continue up to the ridge's Chapel of Saint-Pilon for views of the sea and Mont Sainte-Victoire. It is about 40 km from Toulon, and you need to drive there. A pilgrimage takes place on July 22, the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene.
Opening hours
Open all day (Holy Cave about 08:00-18:00)
Nearby sights
- Circuit Paul Ricard
- Le Castellet
- Bandol
- Île de Bendor
- Sanary-sur-Mer
- Île des Embiez
- Mont Faron & Cable Car
- Musée National de la Marine (Toulon)