Notre-Dame du Chêne, Gothic Revival minor basilica in Vion, France
Notre-Dame du Chêne is a Gothic Revival basilica built as a pilgrimage destination in a small French village. Inside, visitors encounter paintings depicting religious scenes in the choir area and the remains of the original oak tree preserved beneath an altar in a side chapel.
In 1494, a priest placed a terracotta statue of the Virgin Mary beneath an oak tree, which sparked a pilgrimage tradition that grew over centuries. The basilica itself was constructed much later, in 1875, as a grand religious structure to house this ongoing devotion.
The name refers to an oak tree where a statue of Mary was once placed, and a section of that original tree remains beneath an altar in a side chapel today. Visitors come here to connect with this centuries-old tradition.
This basilica is typically open on weekdays and weekends, though hours vary with the season and religious events. It is best to check ahead before visiting to ensure you can enter during your planned visit time.
A fragment of the original oak tree from the 15th century still rests beneath a side altar, preserved for around 500 years. This piece of wood directly connects today's visitors to the moment when devotion to Mary first began at this location.
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