Grotte-ermitage des Aygalades (grotte des Carmes)

Marseille (Les Aygalades)

The Carmelites, who came from Palestine, settled at Les Aygalades in the 13th century. The Marseille tourist office gives the date 1238. The Ministry of Culture speaks of ‘one of the first Carmelite settlements in France’. The brothers lodged in a cave, which is rare: troglodyte monastic architecture is uncommon. The place is a hermitage built for the brothers of Notre-Dame du Mont-Carmel. Only remains survive. The cave and its remains have been listed as a historic monument since 1992, and neighbouring plots have been inscribed since 1994. Today the ruin is closed to the public. It is seen mainly from a distance, from the village or the motorway. In the village church, another cave is linked by tradition to Mary Magdalene: this is a legend, to be distinguished from this site.

French Ministry of Culture — Mérimée, Grotte-ermitage des Aygalades ou des Carmes ↗

Getting there: Ruin closed to the public, partly state-owned and partly private. It can be glimpsed from the village of Les Aygalades or from the A7 motorway. Do not try to enter.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound