The medieval castle, the Museum of Art and History, the Souleiado Museum, the legend of the Tarasque, the funny and fascinating story of Tartarin de Tarascon... The town of Tarascon-en-Provence is full of ideas for visits, walks, discoveries. One of which, less known and nevertheless fascinating, is the spiritual history of the town. I will take you for a day of peaceful and inspiring stroll, on foot, in two high places of worship in the city: the Sainte Marthe church and the Frigolet abbey.
Sainte-Marthe, patroness of the Tarasconnais
It’s 10 a.m., it’s May. The weather is warm, the sky a clear blue, the heart of Provence awakens in shimmering colors. This day promises to be perfect for a break in the heart of the spiritual history of Tarascon. A walk full of spirit!
Parked in front of King René's castle in Tarascon, I cannot ignore the Sainte-Marthe church. Imposing, completely renovated. Only one desire… to enter this historic place. But who is Marthe?
Marthe is the sister of Mary Magdalene and Lazare. Noble woman from Bethany in Palestine, she is one of the Holy Women of Christianity. Considered one of the apostles of Christ, she arrived by boat at Saintes-Maries de la Mer then went up the Rhône to Tarascon. Persecuted by the Tarasque, the Tarasconnais implore her to come to their aid. Saint Martha accepts, tames then captures the beast and takes it to the inhabitants who kill it. She took up residence in Tarascon, where she became the Patron Saint and died there in the year 68.
Do you know ?
Saint Martha is thus celebrated each year during the Tarasque Festivals on the last weekend of June, July 22 as well as the Sunday preceding July 29 and July 29.
From the 4th century to the present
In the 500th century, a first basilica was built to house the sarcophagus of Saint Martha. In the year XNUMX, Clovis, seriously ill, came to pray there.
In the 10th century, the church, found damaged by barbarian invasions, was restored and then completely rebuilt by the King of Aragon who became Count of Provence.
In 1187, relics of Saint Martha, already venerated by the Tarasconnais, were discovered. The church then became one of the most important sanctuaries in Provence, a place of pilgrimage like Jerusalem, Rome or Compostela where many miracles were performed there. As a sign of gratitude, gifts are offered to the saint. The most beautiful are the solid gold reliquary bust weighing 35 kg offered by Louis XI and several master paintings illustrating the life of the saint.
Tips
Remodeled over the centuries, the church benefits from different architectural styles. The crypt, which houses the relics of Saint Martha, reflects a Romanesque style. The extensions, for their part, with the restored high church, represent a 1944th century Gothic style. Finally, the bell tower, bombed in 1970, was rebuilt identically in XNUMX.
The church has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1840, as is its magnificent Boisselin-Moitessier organ with a polychrome case.
Frigolet Abbey, 900 years of history
After this exciting visit, I decided to take a lunch break in a picturesque and delicious restaurant in the city, the bistro la Caseta at 45 rue des Halles, before heading to the Saint-Michel de Frigolet Abbey, located, to be exact, a few kilometers from the town of Boulbon.
To get there by car from Tarascon, allow 15 minutes, via the D970 and the very pretty D81 road that winds through the Montagnette hills. You can park either in the lower car park opposite the abbey entrance or in the upper car park, which leads back down to the abbey's main driveway, passing by the Auberge de la Treille. If the inn is open, take the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing drink in the shade of the magnificent hackberry tree…
Alphonse Daudet talks about it…
Radiating in the heart of the Montagnette pine forest, the Saint-Michel de Frigolet abbey brings together a group of remarkable buildings: the Romanesque church of Saint-Michel, the chapel of Romanesque origin with baroque decoration Notre-Dame-du-Bon - Remedy, the basilica of the Immaculate Conception in neo-Gothic style and the cloister of Romanesque origin remodeled in the 17th century. Only the basilica can be visited freely. The chapel is a place of prayer for the canons who permanently reside within the abbey. Depending on the time, the place is reserved for them.
Did you know that Alphonse Daudet mentions the Saint-Michel du Frigolet abbey in his collection Letters from My Windmill?
On site you will find a shop full of local gourmet products. Great ideas for souvenirs from this remarkable place…
AbbeyPractical information
Tarascon tourist office
62 rue des Halles – 13150 Tarascon
Tel. 04 90 91 03 52
Saint-Michel de Frigolet Abbey
For a multi-day visit