The priory of Sainte-Victoire mountain was built on the site of a small chapel, traces of which date back as early as the 13th century. Writings from 1251 indeed mention the presence of a chapel - or hermitage - known as Sainte-Venture without specifying its date of construction. It is nestled at an altitude of 2,952 ft (900 m) near the top of the mountain that was then designated as Montagne Sainte-Venture from the patron saint of the chapel.