THE COUVENT ROYAL & BASILICA  ST MAXIMIN DE LA BAUME
TUESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2018 - UPDATED

***Update as of August 29th 2018***

Message to all attending the trip

Those of you taking your car, please aim to arrive at St Maximin, between 3.30pm and 4pm. It will take 2 hours to drive from Menton to St Maximin, with ca 16€ tolls to be paid each way.

The people carrier will leave Menton at 2pm from the parking across from the casino.

The direct route to the Couvent Royal was being refurbished last week. It looks as though it will be pedestrian only. You might have to approach from the outskirts.

However, you can’t miss the Basilica, right next door, as are the Mairie and tourist office. 

The hotel has private parking at 10€ per night. The doors should open automatically. If not, there’s a  bell you can ring. There might be  free spaces available nearby, but remember that Wednesday is market day.

You are free to tour the Couvent Royal’s Chapter house, library, the chauffoir (now the hotel’s bar) refectory, chapel and ramparts.

I have a map outlining these details for each of you. There are  wall plaques with information on each area.

The Basilica can be visited from 9am to 6pm. Have a look at the altar, the crypt with the skull of Mary Magdalene encased in gold, her sarcophagus and the magnificent organ. (We have Napoleon’s brother, Lucien, to thank that the organ was not destroyed during the revolution. Against Napoleon’s wishes, Lucien married the illiterate daughter of a St Maximin de Baume inn keeper, Christine Boyer and as head of the local Jacobean Club, Lucien encouraged the playing of the Marseillaise on the organ.)

A short walk from the Basilica is the 13th century  Jewish Medieval quarter and ancient cistern, which now houses the museum. I have a map of the medieval Quarter for each of you.

Aperitifs will be served at 7pm in the cloister garden next to the well.

I’m delighted that historian Dr Hughes de la Touche will give a 15 minute talk on the history of the region, followed by Molly Rurke’s  insight into the Magdalene connection.

Hopefully followed by an animated discussion.

Dinner will be served outside in the cloisters at 8pm

The hotel bar will be open until 11pm but there are many interesting little places for a drink nearby

Breakfast on Wednesday morning will be served in the Chapter house.

A lovely place for lunch is the garden of Cote Jardin on Avenue Albert 1er, about five minutes walk away from the hotel.

There are many restaurants located around the square and a very nice little shopping street close by.

Some of you may wish to visit the cave of Mary Magdalene, in the ancient forest of St Baume, a short drive away.

The walk to the cave takes about 45 minutes. Pilgrimages have been made there since the Vth century.

TRAVELLING BY CAR:

Annie Ratcliff, Molly Rurke, Maggie Ramage, Isabelle Terrieur Mareuil

Janine Smith, Martin Smith, Denise Shield, Simone Bonet

Hughes de la Touche, Ruth de la Touche, Toby Harrison, Jan Leake

Meeting in St Maximine Phil & Charlotte Baddeley

PEOPLE CARRIER

Davis Bell, Ruth O’Connell, Barrie Papenfus, Helene Forsen, Mary Cordis, Andrew Powell, Jean Powell, Birgitt Nordbrink

THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET PAID, PLEASE DO SO CHEQUES/TRANSFERS TO BRITISH ASSOCIATON MENTON

***end of update***

Who would be interested in an overnight visit to the medieval town of Saint Maximin de Baume, staying at the historic Hotel Couvent Royal overnight, with dinner and breakfast?

The hotel is a beautifully restored convent, retaining all original features. First established in the V century by the Cassiannite monks, it was rebuilt in 1295 when the alleged relics of Mary Magdalene were discovered on the site. Charles II of Anjou, king of Sicily and Count of Provence founded the Basilica at that time, where the relics can be viewed in the crypt. The Couvent Royal adjoins the Basilica and integrates a cloister, entrusted to the Dominicans.

Since 1959 it has become a cultural centre and together the Couvent Royal and Basilica form the most magnificent example of Provencal Gothic in southern France.

Agenda:
3 PM Arrival; giving everyone plenty of time to relax before viewing the town.

6:45 pm meeting for Kir aperitifs and canapes in the cloisters.

Historian Dr Hughes de la Touche will give a short talk on the area's history followed by Molly Rourke’s insight into the Magdalen connection.

7:30 pm - Dinner

Menu

Croustillant de queues de gambas et tartare de légumes – coulis de moutard ancienne

Carré d’agneau – jus cuit fin – biscuit à l’estragon – croustillant de pommes de Terre – sauce chorion

Chocolaté pain de gènes cacao – coulis de chocolat blanc cointreau – tuile nougatine a l’orange

Vin / Kaffee / eau plat  & gazeuse
 

Next morning after breakfast, either explore the Basilica, do a tour of the medieval part of the village,  visit the Provencal market, or relax at the Hammam de Jana,  avenue des Cinq points ( to book ring 04 94 86 09 05)

Cost:
ALL INCLUSIVE PER PERSON SHARING 118 €
ALL INCLUSIVE SINGLE OCCUPANCY 176 €
(A little more than initially quoted. The price includes aperitif, wine, water and coffee)

Kind regards
Birgitt
birgitt.nordbrink@wanadoo.fr