This article accompanies the fable
Sacred Prostitute


The sacred grotto of Sainte-Baume

The grotto or cave is a 45-minute drive southwest of the town of St. Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume. It is at the foot of a massif a little east of the small town of Plan-d'Aups-Sainte-Baume. Many of today's pilgrims choose to walk the hour or so from the Dominican inn there, Hostellerie de la Sainte-Baume (their website here), through the forest to the site itself.

Inside the cave itself is the main altar. Mary's relics (bones) have been relocated from here to Saint Maximin.

Photo: M. Disdero