Cathédrale Sainte-Anne is the historic heart of Apt and one of the most important religious sites in the Luberon. Located in the old town, it stands on a site where relics of Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary, were discovered as early as the 8th century.

The cathedral you see today was rebuilt from the 11th century onward, but parts of its earlier history remain visible. Beneath the church, two ancient crypts house early Christian sarcophagi, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s early religious past.

Inside, the cathedral features 18th-century paintings, a 15th-century stained-glass window depicting the Tree of Jesse, and the Chapel of Saint Anne, built in the 17th century. The chapel contains what is believed to be Saint Anne’s veil, an object of pilgrimage, although its origins are thought to date back to 9th-century Egypt.

Despite its historical importance, the cathedral remains a quiet and often overlooked stop compared to more famous Luberon sites.

👉 Local Tip: Walk down into the crypts if they’re open. Most visitors stay upstairs, but the underground spaces are the most atmospheric part of the visit.