The greatest cistern of Europe of its century
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Nestled in the small village of Saint-Martin de Pallières, this architectural rarity was built in 1747. It was ensuring the huge water needs of the castle park.
With its impressive size (more than 500m²) comes its uniqueness. Who would guess that in this small village, hidden under the ground would be a huge cistern looking like a cathedral ?
The vaults sustained by 20 pillars illustrate the gothic architecture of that period. The "Underground Cathedral" is registered at the Monuments Historiques since 2003.
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The owners -aware of its architectural and historical value- undertook huge works on the cistern in 2017 and opened it to public in May of the same year.
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![Cathédrale Souterraine de Saint-Martin de Pallières, plus grande citerne d'Europe au 18ème siècle et inscrite aux Monuments Historiques. Var. Visites. Saint-Maximin la Sainte-Baume](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c6839f_51636263b9654c66819448d6fdd4682a~mv2_d_5184_2376_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_263,h_124,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/c6839f_51636263b9654c66819448d6fdd4682a~mv2_d_5184_2376_s_2.jpg)
![Village de Saint-Martin de Pallières, abritant la Cathédrale Souterraine, Monument Historique. Plus grande citerne d'Europe au 18ème siècle. Var. Visites. Saint-Maximin la Sainte Baume](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c6839f_03304ea0de9d44e8acc5341c600a9fbd~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_640,h_420,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/c6839f_03304ea0de9d44e8acc5341c600a9fbd~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg)
"Through this remarkable historic work is transcribed the spirit of a whole era. Indeed, the cistern illustrates the French fortresses' transformation into residential castles, according to more peaceful times."
Diane and Michel de Boisgelin, owners
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