The town of Saint Maximin La Sainte Baume is old, very very old. Here do ghosts roam. But make sure…read moreyou go and visit Mary Magdalen's skull on the off-season. I went at the end of October, when there was a rain storm, and other than the townspeople, there was only one tourist - moi. THIS is the way to explore this mystical old church, and its mysterious inhabitant since before the Medieval Ages - Mary Magdalene. Seeing her skull ensconced in the most beautiful gold setting of hair and knight's helmet, might very well change your life.

In my short time on earth I have traversed to many places that are imbued with spiritual power and…read moreenergies that seem to emanate from the very earth you're standing on. Some that come to mind immediately are the Basilica to Guadalupe in Mexico City; the pyramids of the Yucatan, the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, the glen dedicated to the Green Man near Brighton, the silent but vibrating streets of Compestela where Santiago lays in wait. I can now include the Saint Maximin Basilica in southern France which houses relics of the Magdalene, chief among them her skull encased in gold. Is it really her? Could it be true? As with all things based on faith, yes, why not? And if so - how grand indeed to stare into the sockets of the skull that held the eyes that were the first among the human race to behold the greatest breakthrough in history ever to happen - the resurrection of the Christ. The tomb of the woman who comforted our Lord in reality, the woman who stood under the Cross with faithful John and Mary His Mother, and Ours. I am intrigued and imbued with the spirit of my faith whenever I take my time out at a Marian shrine, or even a small altar to the Virgin in a home or Church; thus my fascination with Guadalupe, Lourdes, Fatima and the like. But those are visions based on the beliefs and opinions of others, while here entombed was one of the true apostles and dearest friends of Our Lord. The tomb itself was discovered in 1279, and when the marble sarcophagus was exposed, a wonderful sweet smell was said to emanate from the interior - no doubt the same fragrance the Magdalene had poured on the very feet of Jesus before His death. Provence tradition holds that Mary Magdalene along with Martha, Lazarus and 70- others fled to the south of France to avoid Roman persecution. They first landed at Saintes Maries de la Mer, and from there traveled northward spreading the gospel. Mary eventually retreated to a mountain cave, or Baume, and the site of La Baume de Saint Maximin has been the site of Christian pilgrims since the Fifth Century. The city itself is a charming one that boasts a main square that surrounds the Church; clean and simple it its French piety there appears to be a daily market from which one can by a variety of sundries and local goodies such as lavender infused soaps and a crunchy baguette. For the seekers of the weird and controversial, the location may be a nice treat to add to your itinerary. For those who profess the Christian Faith, the Basilica is well worth a visit.