The construction of the basilica began between 1295 and 1316 with the construction of the apse and choir based on plans by Pierre d'Augicourt in place of an old church from the Merovingian era . After that, construction was interrupted and only continued again in 1404. The construction was only completed between 1508 and 1532. It has remained in this condition to the present day.
organ
organ
From 1772 to 1774 Jean Esprit Isnard built an organ with 43 registers on four manuals. It has largely been preserved in its original condition and is considered to be one of the most important representatives of the French orgue classique. The two treble horizontal trumpets (Dessus de Trompette en chamade) are a special feature of this organ, since such registers were unusual in French organ building at that time. In the 19th century, the organ received a new bellows system and new keyboards, which corresponded to an increase in scope, the tuning was modernized, in 1927 an electric centrifugal fan was installed. Since 1953 the organ has been classified as a " Monument historique ". In 1954, Pierre Chéron carried out an increase in wind pressure. Between 1987 and 1991 a restoration was carried out by the Manufacture provencale d'orgues a Carces (Var) under M. Yves Cabourdin, whereby the changes were removed. An unevenly floating mood (Werkmeister III) was introduced again . Today's keyboards come from this restoration. Titular organist is Pierre Bardon .
Nicolas de Grigny : Mass . Organ: Pierre Bardon (1985); Disques Pierre Verany, Aix-en-Provence, 1990 (1 CD)
Nicolas de Grigny: Hymnes . Organ: Perre Bardon (1991); Disques Pierre Verany, Aix-en-Provence, 1992 (1 CD)
François Couperin : Messe pour les couvents, Messe pour les paroisses . Organ: Pierre Bardon (1985); Disques Pierre Verany, Aix-en-Provence, 1985 (2 CDs)
literature
Ursula Smend: The church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine and the Dominican convent in Saint-Maximin (Provence): building history, building organization and architecture using the example of a royal foundation (1295-1550) . ISBN 3-631-42232-6 .
Michel Moncault: La Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine et le couvent royal Saint-Maximin de Provence . Edisud, Aix-en-Provence 2003, ISBN 978-2-7449-0439-4 .
Grandes Orgues de la Basilique Sainte Marie Madeleine . Edisud, Aix-en-Provence 2004, ISBN 978-2-7449-0200-0 .