Originally this picture was a 180°. I've decided to arrange it to make it viewable here because of it's richness in history.

Plan d'Aups - Plan d'Aups Sainte Baume visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Plan d'Aups' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Provence.

The Forest of Holy Balm

The foreground of this panorama shows the Forest of Holy Balm. Covering an area of about 140 hectares, at an altitude between 680 and 1000 meters, this ancient forest is exceptional, worth being classified as a state-owned biological reserve. Inherited from a period of glaciation, the sacred Gallic wood, the original forest of the Holy Balm is practically untouched by cutting equipment. Careful management is essential to ensure the forest's regeneration - and to be aware of any trees in danger of falling. In the forest, one can see gigantic Beechs, enormous Maples interwoven with Linden blossom, Pines and some green Oaks. It is astonishing to find these trees, more common to the "Ile-de-France", thriving in the middle of hot Provencal plain. This is explained by the fact that the high cliff that dominates the area maintains the freshness and humidity equivalent to their more northerly natural habitat.

Cave and Monastery of Holy Mary Magdalene

In the background of this panorama are the Cave and Monastery of Holy Mary Magdalene. The cave where the Holy one would have withdrawn to shelter in has, itself, been revered since the first centuries of Christendom. Its fame has attracted many pilgrims, including these such illustrious names - many Kings of France, St Louis and Louis XIV, several Popes, thousands of great lords and millions of faithful believers have made the pilgrimage to the Holy Balm. The sanctuary is a cave that can contain until 1000 people and which can be reached by a stairway of 150 steps. On the Monday of Pentecost, all of Provence make their pilgrimage here. For the celebration of St Mary Magdalene, a mass is celebrated July 22. For Christmas, a midnight mass takes place in the cave.