The Saint Claire Monastery and Orphanage is built on top of the Bayview Mountain, with a spectacular view on Treasure Bay, and the surrounding towns. It was built in 1789 for the Franciscan monks, and has always been used to shelter orphans.

Throughout the years Saint Claire became the religious heart of Maoco, attracting many visitors each year. Because of this, shops and houses were built close to the monastery, which became known as the town of Saint Claire. Today Saint Claire is the 22 largest town on Maoco.

At religious holidays, like Easter and Christmas, many people from the neighbouring towns will walk up the mountain to celebrate their religion together, at the garden of the monastery.

Sights

As mentioned above there is a spectacular view from the garden of the Saint Claire Monastery. To get there, one could either follow the road from White Beach or Sims, which leads through a beautiful forest . You could also walk up the mountain. There's a path that starts at the "Image of the Virgin" at Saint Remi. This path is used on all the religious holiday by many San Remians. A long chain of people will walk up the mountain holding candles and carrying food, while singing and praying. They will spend the night in the garden of the monastery, where the priests will lead the ceremony.

It will take about two hours to reach the monastery on foot. From White Beach it's about a fourty minute drive. The monastery can be visited at all times, and the hospitable monks welcome you join a service, to stay overnight and share some meals.