Major city · France
Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume
Half a day for the basilica and a market, then move on: one night only if you want to hike the Sainte-Baume massif at dawn.
Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume is a pilgrimage town at the foot of the Sainte-Baume mountains, 40 km east of Aix-en-Provence. The Gothic Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene and the weekly market are the main draws; most travellers pass through in a few hours on the way to the coast or the Verdon Gorge.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat, crowds)
- Airport
- MRS
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyVery safe; standard precautions against pickpocketing on market days.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire and ambulance · 112 European emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMRS Marseille Provence (About 1 h by car or bus via Aix-en-Provence).
- Getting aroundThe town centre is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café€2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Budget bedDouble room in a B&B or small hotel, a night, per room€70 (≈ US$85)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a B&B or small hotel, a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedDouble room in a B&B or small hotel, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €120 (≈ US$140) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MRS Marseille Provence (About 1 h by car or bus via Aix-en-Provence)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Feb
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Apr (7 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town centre is walkable. A car is needed for the Sainte-Baume massif trailheads and the cave.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30–60 min
Car via A8, about 30 min; bus Zou! 93/94, about 1 h
Cours Mirabeau, markets and Cézanne's studio.
Door to door: 1–1.5 h
Car via A8/A57, about 1 h; bus Zou! 94 to Brignoles then train, about 1.5 h
Naval museum, harbour and cable car to Mont Faron.
Saint-Tropez
cautionDoor to door: 1.25 h
Car via A8 and D25, about 1 h 15 min
Summer traffic is heavy; go early or off-season.
Door to door: 1.5–2 h
Car to Hyères (about 1 h), then ferry
Car-free island with beaches and cycling; a full day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
Walk to the basilica and market; limited options, mostly small hotels and B&Bs.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a B&B or small hotel1 × 1 night × €110 | €110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €120 | €240 |
| Lunch at a market stall or bistro2 × €15 | €30 |
| Basilica entry (free, donation expected)2 × €0 | €0 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €38 |
| Trip total≈ €209 per person per day, bed included | €418≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Market lunch (bread, cheese, fruit) | €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) |
| Bistro plat du jour | €14–20 (≈ US$17–25) |
| Glass of rosé | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Parking in town centre | €1.50–2 (≈ US$2–3) per hour |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Basilica closes for lunch (check current hours).
- Market is on Wednesday and Saturday mornings only.
- Hiking the massif requires sturdy shoes and water; no facilities on the trail.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 18
- European emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-BaumeSaint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance18
- European emergency112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Marseille → Saint-Maximin, Zou! bus 94: about €5–8 (≈ US$6–10), 1 h 15 min (check)
- Aix-en-Provence → Saint-Maximin, Zou! bus 93/94: about €3–5 (≈ US$4–6), 1 h (check)
- Taxi from Aix-en-Provence: €50–70 (≈ US$60–85) (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-byen sa koot)
- Où est la basilique ? — Where is the basilica? (oo ay la ba-zee-leek)
- Je voudrais une table pour deux — I would like a table for two (zhuh voo-dray ewn tah-bl poor duh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat, crowds) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume
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