Young man arrives in Var department

An 18-year-old man arrives in a small town in the Var department of southern France, introducing himself as "Brutus." He begins renaming landmarks in the region with names from the French Revolution, such as calling Saint-Maximin "Marathon" and the Sainte-Baume "the Thermopyles."

Lucien Bonaparte's role

This young man is Lucien Bonaparte, the younger brother of the future Emperor Napoleon. At the time, he was a storekeeper responsible for managing supplies for the military. His actions, though seemingly minor, would unintentionally help preserve a significant historical artifact.

Basilica's transformation

The basilica of Saint-Maximin, a major pilgrimage site dedicated to Mary Magdalene, had already lost its religious occupants. The Dominican friars who had managed the site were forced to leave in 1791 due to the upheavals of the French Revolution. The building was then converted into a military warehouse for storing food and supplies.

Organ's survival

Inside this repurposed basilica stood a remarkable treasure: a grand organ built between 1772 and 1774 by Dominican friar Jean-Esprit Isnard. With 2,960 pipes, nearly all original, it is one of the last surviving examples of 18th-century French organ craftsmanship, alongside one in Poitiers.

Legends of protection

Local legend tells of a dramatic episode during the Revolution. Revolutionary figures who came to destroy the basilica reportedly encountered organist Fourcade, who played La Marseillaise on the organ. This patriotic performance may have convinced the revolutionaries to spare the site, though the story remains unverified.

Preservation and revival

The organ has undergone several restorations, including work by Yves Cabourdin between 1986 and 1991, and again in 2017. Organist Pierre Bardon, who had cared for the instrument since 1961, played a key role in keeping it alive until his death last February at the age of 86.

Festival honors heritage

The basilica’s history continues to be celebrated today. An organ festival held in the basilica last summer, from August 12 to 23, allowed music enthusiasts to experience the sound of its 2,960 original pipes. This event honors the instrument’s survival through both revolution and time.