Petit Lourdes Hérouville-Saint-Clair, Chapel and Marian shrine in Hérouville-Saint-Clair, France
Petit Lourdes is a chapel and Marian shrine featuring a two-thirds scale replica of the Pyrenean Basilica of Lourdes, including a grotto and natural spring. The sanctuary contains several prayer rooms, arranged gardens with marked pathways, and small side chapels surrounding the main structure.
The chapel was built between 1879 and 1885 after Jules Dubosq witnessed the miraculous recovery of his wife at the original Lourdes site. This personal faith motivated him to create this place so others could have similar spiritual experiences.
The site takes its name from its connection to the Virgin Mary and draws visitors seeking quiet moments of prayer and reflection. The chapel has served as a refuge for people seeking spiritual experience without undertaking long journeys.
The site is easy to navigate on foot, with well-marked paths throughout the sanctuary that are relatively flat. Free parking, picnic areas, and restroom facilities are available to ensure a comfortable visit.
The pathways through the sanctuary are arranged to form the letter M when viewed from above, a symbol honoring the Virgin Mary. This subtle design choice weaves spiritual meaning into the landscape in a way that becomes fully visible only from a distance.
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