Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine
Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine
Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine
4.5
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
About
Saint Mary Magdalen Basilica is known as the third tomb of Christiendom. The patron Saint (Mary Magdalen) has been declared as apostle of divine Mercy. She was also known as apostle of apostles.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
611 reviews
Excellent
349
Very good
221
Average
39
Poor
2
Terrible
0
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A table
Paris, France1,621 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
A quite magical place not to be missed if you are passing through St Maximin. This Basilica, the 3rd tomb of Christianity, is imposing and despite the wear and tear of time it commands respect. Access to the crypt is free and allows you to see the relic of Saint Mary Magdalene. Don't forget to turn around to admire the organ.
Written 16 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adam M
Norwich, UK263 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
An old medieval cathedral with the supposed skull of Mary Magdalene. It is a church in quite disrepair but very atmospheric. Situated in a pleasant French town in the beautiful Provence countryside. Get there by country road not motorway.
Written 1 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sylvain G.
Lugrin, France194 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
This is a great church to see, with lots of stories and history.
We had the luck to benefit from the night guided tour organised by the local Tourism Office. This is a fantastic way of discovering the church with a new prism.
We had the luck to benefit from the night guided tour organised by the local Tourism Office. This is a fantastic way of discovering the church with a new prism.
Written 6 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maureen fitzpatrick
Lafayette, LA237 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
We stopped at St Maximin-Ste Baume on our way to Moustiers Ste. Marie. The Basilique is rather austere, but inside it is very impressive with a beautiful altar and side altars. The crypt is below, a rather small space with the skull of Mary Madeleine encased in gold behind a golden screen. It is difficult to see. We would like to have had a camera with zoom lenses, whereby we could photograph her relic. It is a quiet spot where you can meditate and pray. We proceeded by car to the Grotte, driving on a winding country road to Aup. If you decide to visit, watch the road signs. There is a car park, field and rest stop where you can buy articles and drinks. The climb takes about 30-45 minutes on a foot path through a beautiful forest, uphill, so bring water and wear suitable shoes. At the top you descend into a large cave with an altar. It is rather dark and damp inside. There are statues and relics of Mary Madeleine within. You can leave petitions, and it looked like some people had collected water from the cave in plastic bottles. The Grotte is protected by Dominican monks, who have a small residence there. It is truly a holy shrine. The drive from St. Maximin takes about 30 minutes.
Written 15 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Serviceprof
Lexington, SC1,380 contributions
Mar 2016
Thirty minutes east of Aix-en-Provence, directly off the motorway, you'll find this 12th century RC church that is speculated to hold the remains of Mary Magdalena. The basilica itself is not spectacular but the sacristy and some of the side chapels have intricately carved wood and some 6th century paintings. In the crypt you'll be able to see MM's skull. For those of us immersed in Catholic history this is a special place indeed.
Written 12 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rascaldean81
Perth, Australia86 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
I am not an over religious person, so I was surprised how visiting this site effected me. It was a stop on our Trafalgar tour so I didn't make a special trip or anything.
The body of Mary Magdalene was suppose to have been found on this site and the bones have been preserved in a crypt under the church.
Whether these are really the remains of Mary Magdalene is not really important. My feelings of love in this church was amazing. I just thought of all the religious pilgrams who had visited over the years and prayed and felt a sort of universal energy.
The church itself though lovely on the outside due to its age is not overly impressive inside.
If you are in the area it is worth a visit regardless of your religious leanings
The body of Mary Magdalene was suppose to have been found on this site and the bones have been preserved in a crypt under the church.
Whether these are really the remains of Mary Magdalene is not really important. My feelings of love in this church was amazing. I just thought of all the religious pilgrams who had visited over the years and prayed and felt a sort of universal energy.
The church itself though lovely on the outside due to its age is not overly impressive inside.
If you are in the area it is worth a visit regardless of your religious leanings
Written 29 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrDivaG
Fort Worth, TX133 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
This basilica is really worth the visit. The size is impressive and the word carvings and statues are so ornate that it brought tears to my eyes. Don't miss the crypt with the bones of Mary Magdelene. Even if you are not religious, the relic and the tombs next to it will give you major chicken skin!
Written 28 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex R
Perth, Australia93 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
It was worth the 30 minmute (20 if you're fit) cloimb up the steep but wide path to the shrine, inside a cave on a sheer cliff face. Reputedly occupied by Mary Magdalene following the dispersion of disciples form Jerusalem in ~50AD. The shrine is facsinating (they hold reguilar daily services there) and the view out over the countryside is breathtaking.
Written 14 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francoise L
Brussels, Belgium108 contributions
Oct 2012 • Friends
The basilique is a monument of history. Sainte-Marie Madeleine is supposed to be buried in the crypt. You won't read this in the "Da Vinci Code" but for the french Church this is the place. Every year in the end of July the local feast is a great moment. The rests of the saint are the star of procession guided through the village by the bishop, the monks, followed by many people singing old provençal cantiques accompanied by traditional instruments like tambourins and fifers. The organ also is impressive. One of the most important in France its sounds magic. The pity is that the basilique lacks money, so it takes much time to be restored. Some paintings and woods are deeply affected by the situation.
Written 24 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnneUrne
Oklahoma City, OK2 contributions
Superb! See photos and more info on Facebook - Search Mary Magdalene The Untold Story. Travelled there last year from Paris via train to Marseilles then rented car and drove in rain to get there. The basillica and tomb are overwhelmingly beautiful. I was disappointed I didn't get to grotto due to the rain. But, she is bringing me back on a luxury liner and I will drive again from Monaco this time! I booked cruise without any idea that our stop in Monaco was only 90 miles from the tomb. Going back in 3 weeks and can't wait. I am so thrilled and excited! I know the sun will be shining this trip! MM is so very, very special. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Written 25 September 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Partendo dalla Basilica nel paese di St. Maximin, non riesco a trovare la strada (si parla di 10/15 km.) per arrivare alla Grotta. Come posso trovarla sulle mappe di Google o di Viamichelin? E fin dove di può andare in auto (ho 86 anni...)? Grazie e cordialità.
Giovanni Ferrero, Cuneo
Written 8 May 2020
Hello could you tell me is the basílica de Santa María Magdalena adapted for wheelchair access?
Written 12 February 2019
I’m so sorry for not replying sooner but I was away. I’m afraid I’m unable to answer your question fully. As far as I remember there were no steps but check with your hotel or tourist office before you travel. The local tourist office should be able to inform you of local wheelchair accessible places to visit and local eateries. Enjoy your holiday.
Written 23 February 2019
What is the best way to get to The Basilica from Santiago Spain? Fly to Marseille then take a bus or train?
Written 11 August 2018
hi! to get there from london the nearest airport is marseille (marignane) and then you get a bus directly to aix en provence or to st maximin
Written 4 July 2018
l'orario delle messe il sabato e la domenica
Written 6 February 2018
Sabato a mezzogiorno. Domenica 10.30 e 18 o 18.30
Written 12 February 2018
la première pierre de la basilique a été posée en 1295, donc elle date bien du XIIIème mais pour l'essentiel du XIVème
Written 19 January 2018
Bonjour,
Ni a t'il pas confusion sur le site entre la cathédrale (ou basilique qui parait'il n'a jamais été consacrée ?) qui possède les ossements de Marie Madeleine dans la crypte et la grotte de sainte marie madeleine (qui se trouve à 10 kms environ) sur la commune du Plan d'Aups ? Plusieurs photos des deux endroits sont mélangées !
Written 10 August 2016
La photo de présentation n est pas celle de la basilique mais de la grotte au flanc de la sainte baume. Il y a confusion et amalgame entre deux sites. la basilique qui est en ville et la grotte au flanc de la montagne.
Written 11 August 2017
How did you get there ? did you have a private guide? I'm going to be there next week and would love to go there!
Thanks, Cindy
Written 6 May 2016
Hi
To find this place you have to go to the city called saint maximin la sainte baume
The best would be by car the area are really nice
The basilique is in the city close to the market place
You will find a place to park your car
And small restaurant around
Enjoy your stay in France
Laurent
Written 16 May 2016
Did you have a tour Guide and did you get a Taxi?
Written 19 April 2016
How do I get there from my Port in Marseille france ?
Written 13 April 2016
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