Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Livron

Caylus

At the bottom of a wooded valley in the Quercy, away from the bastide of Caylus, the sanctuary of Livron is one of the oldest places of Marian pilgrimage in the diocese of Montauban: a church there is already cited in a will of 960. The present chapel was founded in 1302 by Guillaume de Milhars and built in the early 14th century, the Gothic choir being completed in 1471. Ravaged during the Wars of Religion, stripped of its furnishings in the Revolution, the sanctuary regained its pilgrims after 1801, and the statue of the Virgin was solemnly crowned there in 1878. Tradition explains the name of the place, Livron, by "délivrance" (deliverance): a monster, described as a dragon, lived in a cave in the valley and devoured men and beasts. The knight of Lagardelle, whom tradition links to the neighbouring Templar commandery of Lacapelle-Livron, is said to have dedicated himself to the Virgin before going to confront it, the inhabitants promising to raise a chapel in the event of victory. The knight returned victorious and the vow was kept; the Lagardelle family is indeed attested at Caylus until 1868, which anchored the story in local memory. A second legend tells that the building materials, first carried up to the top of the hill, were transported by night down into the valley by angels: the "chemin des anges" (angels' path) and a stone marked with a cross are said to preserve the trace of this. The sanctuary remains today a place of retreat and pilgrimage, with a procession every 8 September.

Site officiel du sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Livron ↗

Getting there : About 3 km from Caylus by the D19 towards Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, at the hamlet of Saint-Pierre-de-Livron (6216 route de Livron, 82160 Caylus); the sanctuary is signposted from the road. Free access all year round, with a welcome provided by Carmelite missionary sisters. The site is a stage on the GR46 and on the PR footpaths of Caylus and Lacapelle-Livron. Great pilgrimage on 8 September.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound