Page 116 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

114  PROVENCE AREA B Y AREA

eSt-Maximin-la-Ste-Baume

Surrounded by hills and vineyards, St-Maximin-la- Ste-
Baume is dominated by the basilica Ste-Marie-Madeleine
and its attached monastery. According to Provençal
tradition, the basilica was built on the site of the tombs
of St Mary Magdalene and of St Maximin, legendary first
bishop of Aix (see pp152–3). The saints’ remains, hidden
from the Saracens (see pp46–7), were rediscovered in
1279. The building, started 16 years later by Charles II,
Count of Provence, is the region’s finest example of Sarcophagus of St Cedonius
Gothic architecture. This is one of four 4th-century saints’
sarcophagi in the crypt, which was
once the burial vault of a Roman villa.
. Relics of St Mary Magdalene
This bronze gilt reliquary (1860) holds
the skull of St Mary Magdalene.
Although pilgrim popes and
princes took away other parts
of her body, the majority
of her relics can still be
found here.

. Ronzen’s Retable (1517–1520)
Antoine Ronzen’s wood retable
and surrounding panels include
the first picture of the Papal Palace
in Avignon (see pp48–9).

KEY . Organ
One of the finest in France, with
1 The apse was completed in
the early 14th century. The present 2,962 pipes, the organ was built
Baroque-style arrangement was between 1772 and 1774 by Jean-
finished in 1697. Esprit Isnard. Napoleon’s brother
Lucien saved it in the Revolution by
2 Stairs to crypt having the Marseillaise played on it
3 Former refectory whenever a visiting official arrived
to dismantle the organ for its metal.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp199–200 and pp211–12