Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Genouillade

Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Genouillade is a small Romanesque chapel at the harbor in Agde, built from dark basalt stone. The roof is crowned by a distinctive stone lantern that gives the structure its recognizable appearance.

The chapel was built in the mid-17th century under the patronage of Henri I de Montmorency. The site had already held religious importance for centuries, as a Marian appearance was reported there in the early Middle Ages.

The chapel's name comes from a local legend about the Virgin Mary kneeling here during difficult times. Visitors can still see the rock formation that inspired this story, which remains central to how locals understand the place.

The chapel sits right by the water and is easily reached on foot from the town center. It is simple to find and can be viewed from outside at any time, with regular services taking place there.

A series of small chapels was once built along a pilgrimage path to structure the journey between important religious sites. Only two of these original chapelettes remain today, showing the site's long history as a place of pilgrimage.

Location: Agde

Architectural style: Romanesque architecture

GPS coordinates: 43.29220,3.45637

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:46