Walk to the Cave of Mary Magdalene

From Plan d’Aups, there is a lovely 45-minute walk up the Ste Baume to the Grotto of Mary Magdalene.

The ‘Massif-de-la-St.-Baume’ mountain range is named after Saint Mary Magdalene.

Legend has it that she is said to have taken refuge here in a cave over 2,000 years ago.

This cave can be reached on foot from the pilgrimage centre L’Hôtellerie, situated between Nans-les-Pins and Plan d’Aups.

The climb to the cave takes just over half an hour.

The summit of the massif, Saint-Pilon, lies at 994 metres and is also accessible via a (difficult) path. (2½ hours)

According to legend, Mary Magdalene was carried by angels from the cave to the summit of the massif seven times a day for 30 days.