Basilique Notre-Dame d'Avioth, Gothic minor basilica in Avioth, France
The Basilique Notre-Dame d'Avioth is a Gothic church with an intricately carved western facade that developed around pilgrimage traditions. The interior features a soaring central nave with lower side aisles, arranged to accommodate the flow of visitors coming to venerate the statue.
Construction began in the 14th century after the discovery of a wooden Virgin and Child statue that drew large numbers of pilgrims to the site. This discovery transformed the place into an important pilgrimage destination with ongoing architectural growth.
The basilica holds one of the few black Madonna statues in northeastern France, which has drawn pilgrims for centuries. This devotion continues to shape the spiritual life at the site.
The building is undergoing comprehensive restoration work on its masonry, sculptures, roofs, and stained glass, so access may be limited in some areas. Visitors should check ahead to see which sections are open and whether guided tours are available.
Next to the basilica stands La Recevresse, a Gothic structure originally built for pilgrim offerings, which was later replicated in full scale at the Paris Architecture Museum. This unusual honor shows how important the site was to French architectural history.
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