Basilique Notre-Dame de la Délivrande

Douvres-la-Délivrande

According to tradition, the statue of the Virgin, hidden to protect it from the Viking raids of 830, was found again around 1150 thanks to a sheep that kept obstinately scratching at the ground in one particular spot, until the blackened limestone sculpture was dug up there. A chapel and then a basilica were raised on the site of the discovery. The original statue was destroyed during the Wars of Religion (1562) and replaced in 1580. This account, handed down by local tradition, remains without archaeological confirmation.

Wikipédia – Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Délivrande ↗

Getting there : Basilica open to the public all year round, free admission, regular pilgrimages and masses

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

Ambient sound