La Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine

About

This sleepy hilltop village, with its narrow cobblestone streets culminate at the Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, a monastic church from the 9th and 10th centuries. Shortly after construction was completed, relics from Mary Magdalene were brought in. Over the following centuries, it suffered from fires and revolts, but also was where Thomas Beckett condemned King Henry II, and the site of several key meetings during the Second and Third Crusades. Today, visitors can wander under the soaring ceiling, appreciating the pragmatic architecture, ornate altar, or religious scenes depicting sinners and unbelievers with pig snouts and elephant ears.