Ermitage Saint Jean du Puy

Arriving at the chapel, located on one of the peaks of the Olympus chain, one enjoys the most beautiful view of the Upper Arc Valley and the Sainte Victoire Mountain. There is the hermitage, the common house, the vault of the Chapelle Sainte-Elisabeth and the bell tower with its orientation table. The Ermitage Saint-Jean-du-Puy and its chapel were founded in the Vᵉ century, during the extramural extension of the Abbey of Saint-Victor de Marseille by Saint-Cassien, on the site of an ancient pagan temple probably dedicated to the goddess Diana. It was occupied by Cassianite monks until the XVᵉ century, then by hermits until the Revolution, when the site was sold as national property and its occupants were driven out The inhabitants of Trets then become owners of a place that is dear to them. The hermits will come back and will frequent the site until 1891, then the place will be abandoned and will fall in ruin The term Cassianite comes from the name of John Cassian, a holy man. "Fathers of the Latin Church", he is at the origin of the Hermitage of Saint-Jean du Puy and deeply marked the beginnings of the Church in Provence in the Vᵉ century. In 415, he founded two monasteries in Marseille, Saint-Victor for men and Saint-Sauveur for women. He left an important doctrinal work, including works dedicated to monastic life, which had a profound influence in the West, especially because of their inclusion in the Rule of Saint-Benoît. At 658 metres above sea level, at the top of a rocky peak, stands a bell tower resembling a watchtower or observatory overlooking the entire valley. On November 16, 1779, during a violent thunderstorm, lightning struck the bell tower and this one was partially destroyed. The date of 1828 would indicate its reconstruction. The chapel dedicated to St. Elizabeth is said to be the work of the inhabitants of St. Zechariah. It has long since been disused and its vault, the only remnant still visible, has been fitted out to make a fire without risk. This place has been managed since 1960 by the association "Les Amis de Saint-Jean-du-Puy". The keys to the refuge are available for people wishing to spend a night there. It is therefore an ideal place for nature lovers and families who wish to have lunch there and relax while enjoying a magnificent panorama of the Sainte-Victoire and Sainte-Baume mountains On April 20, 1938, Saint-Jean-du-Puy was classified: "Site and natural monument of artistic, historical, scientific, legendary and picturesque character". Traditional pilgrimage on May 1st. Restricted access during the summer period.