Over the past two decades, I have found myself drawn to the unique historical features of southern France. The remnants of Roman roads, aqueducts, and the numerous castle ruins that dot the mountaintops offer a historical journey unlike any I’ve experienced in the ‘New World.’ One can almost feel the presence of the courageous warrior monks, the Knights Templar, as they traversed these paths.  A striking aspect of this region is its unwavering devotion to Mary Magdalene and the firm belief that she once graced these lands.

I recall a conversation from years ago when I asked a local resident about his belief in Mary Magdalene’s presence in the area. His eyes lit up as he exclaimed, ‘Oh, yes! And Jesus, too! And the children! They played in the meadow!’ According to him, Jesus, having survived the crucifixion, was spirited away from danger and brought to France, just across the Mediterranean Sea. While we won’t delve into the controversy of his theory in this article, it certainly adds an intriguing layer to the story.

We will examine the origins of the story of Mary Magdalene going to France and the earliest records of this story. Where and when did it begin?

The Golden Legend, a work compiled around 1260, stands as one of the most significant medieval texts, a cornerstone for the dissemination of saints’ lives in medieval Europe.  Among the many legends it recounts, the story of Mary Magdalene’s supposed journey to France holds a particularly intriguing influence on both religious tradition and cultural identity in the region.

Mary Magdalene, often identified as the repentant sinner, a prostitute who became a devoted follower of Christ, is a figure of profound complexity. In The Golden Legend, she is presented as a pivotal character who blends biblical accounts with apocryphal traditions. The legend of her journey to France, however, is not directly narrated in the canonical Gospels but finds its roots in later medieval tradition, which is elaborated upon by Jacobus in his compilation.

According to The Golden Legend, after the resurrection of Christ, Mary Magdalene, along with other disciples, was cast adrift in a rudderless boat by persecutors. Miraculously, they landed on the shores of Provence in southern France. This event marks the beginning of Magdalene’s association with the region, particularly with the town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, which is believed to be the site of her landing.

The story of Mary Magdalene’s journey to France is not found in the canonical Gospels but is instead a compilation of apocryphal texts and local traditions that evolved over time. The earliest references to this legend appear in the 9th and 10th centuries, but it gained substantial popularity in the 12th century when the cult of Mary Magdalene began to flourish in France, particularly in Provence.

The Golden Legend played a crucial role in solidifying this tradition. By the time it was completed, the legend had become well-established, and this account reflects the widespread acceptance of this narrative in medieval Europe. The endurance of the story of Mary Magdalene in France is widely apparent even today.

We have not yet seen the complete story of Mary Magdalene. It’s possible that with new discoveries in texts and other evidence, we may one day know more.

But at the very least, we now know that Mary Magdalene was a woman of some means who walked alongside Jesus.  This was finally confirmed publicly by the Church in 1969 when they admitted that she was not the “sinner at the well” in Bible lore. That’s a long time for the record to be set straight. Better late than never.