The Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume is the largest Gothic building in Provence and one of the most important religious sites in southern France.

Built in the late 13th century under Charles II of Anjou, the basilica was constructed to house the relics of Mary Magdalene, which were discovered here in 1279. Since then, the site has become a major Christian pilgrimage destination, sometimes described as the third tomb of Christianity after Jerusalem and Rome.

From the outside, the building appears surprisingly austere, even unfinished, as it lacks a bell tower. Step inside, however, and the vast Gothic interior reveals a remarkable sense of harmony and scale. Among the highlights are a 16th-century altarpiece depicting the Passion of Christ, a renowned 17th-century organ, and the crypt, where the relics of Mary Magdalene rest in a marble sarcophagus and reliquary.

The basilica dominates the town and remains a powerful symbol of the region’s religious history, architecture, and pilgrimage traditions.

👉 Local tip: Visit the crypt early in the morning when it is quiet. The atmosphere is much more powerful before tour groups arrive.