The Sainte Marie-Madeleine cave in the Sainte-Baume massif in the Var department was transformed into a Christian sanctuary and a worship and pilgrimage site from the 5th century. It became a high place of Western Christianity from the 13th century and the installation on the site of a community of Dominicans. The cave was listed as a Historical Monument in 1913 after having received visits from several popes and kings over the centuries. Today, the sanctuary still welcomes 500,000 pilgrims and visitors annually who also participate in the tourist and economic development of the site. They are welcomed by eight Dominican brothers in charge of the spiritual life of the place.