Situated between Var and Bouches-du-Rhône, the Sainte-Baume Massif is both a major place of pilgrimage and a favourite site for hiking. In the heart of the massif lies the Sainte-Baume national forest, dominated by a high, rocky cliff. Its landscapes are a patchwork of beeches, maples, Scots pines and lime trees. It's a really nice place to cool down in the summer!
It was in one of the massif's caves that Mary Magdalene spent the final part of her life. Nestling deep in the countryside, this place has now become a sanctuary where the saint's relics are preserved. Many pilgrims travel there for private prayer after walking along a footpath for around 45 minutes.
The Sainte-Baume Massif also enchants nature-lovers and ramblers. Be sure to discover the icehouses, a set of gigantic holes dug into the ground where the water turned to ice in winter. The massif is also suitable for mountaineering: climbers should be sure to take the Pic de Bertagne route in order to enjoy an unobstructed view of the Alps and the sea!
Nestled at the foot of the massif is Saint-Pons forest, in the municipality of Gémenos. It contains many springs and a Cistercian abbey built in the 13th century.
