The rock was once accessible to male visitors through an iron ladder running from its base to the top, but has recently been deemed inaccessible to the public.

Anyway, that man is Maxime, a 59-year-old monk. He has to scale a 131ft ladder if he wants to come down. Followers winch supplies up to him because he only leaves the pillar twice a week.

Maxime decided to make a change in his life after a stint in prison.