Le Couvent Royal

St Maximin east of Aix-en-Provence
PR 85
In the heart of Provence on the Massif de Sainte-Baume, the Basilica of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume and its appending convent were founded in 1295 by Charles II of Anjou, the King of Sicily and Count of Provence to house the relics of St. Mary Magdalene, whose tomb had been discovered here in 1279. It is the finest Provencal gothic building in the South East of France.

Placed under royal protection by Louis XII at the beginning of the 16th century, the Convent was entrusted to the Dominicans, who brought it safely through the centuries in spite of many wars and upheavals: the Dominicans finally left in 1959 and then in 1999, it was finally turned into a hotel: the restoration was completed in 2003.

Backing onto the great church, the Royal Convent surrounds a cloister with sides of 45 metres length. Apart from the original sacristy, the east wing houses the chapterhouse (which is now the restaurant) and the chauffoir (which is now the bar). The tower in the angle of the north wing is one of the few remains of the original ramparts of the village.

Aix-en-Provence 35km, Saint-Tropez and Port Grimaud 80 km.

PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU BOOK WELL IN ADVANCE FOR THE AIX-EN-PROVENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL PERIOD - LATE JUNE TO MID JULY.
Accommodations:

The Monks' cells, which are now the hotel bedrooms and the library occupy the upper floors. There are 67 bedrooms on two floors, each overlooks the cloister or the garden: every room has an en-suite bathroom and toilet (hair dryer) - telephone - minibar - satellite TV - internet access: there is a lift to all floors and a safe is available in reception.

Our tariff includes continental breakfast and you may take other meals here or at one of the numerous restaurants in local villages or even in Aix-en-Provence. There is a car park but it costs 9 euros per day paid on final departure.




Tourist sites:
The basilica and its crypt housing the relics of St. Mary Magdalene.
The medieval quarter of Saint-Maximin village,
The hill top medieval villages nearby.
The potteries at Varages
Every July, Thoronet Abbey (45km away) hosts a medieval festival, with a "Music and Spirit" festival in August
the Sainte Baume ecology museum, the Sainte-Madeleine cave


Activities:
The Sainte-Baume Massif for rambling
Riding and tennis at Saint-Maximin
Sainte-Baume golf course at Nans les Pins (8 km)
Go-kart club at Brignoles (20km)
Squash at Brignoles
Balneotherapy centre and beauty institute at Saint-Maximin la Sainte Beaume
Quad biking for 8 people and over (9 km)

All year round the local Tourist Office provides free guided tours of the Royal Convent, which communicates directly with the church through the door in the south wing.

This is such a special place that you might consider holding your wedding, reception, or great family event in the prestigious setting of the Couvent Royal de Saint Maximin hotel. The gothic Great Refectory can accommodate up to 300 people, and the summer cloisters up to 600.

Open all year. 
Tariffs
in pounds sterling per ROOM per night including breafast and tax ($US approx):see regional list
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