Vierge du Mas Rillier, Colossal religious statue in Mas Rillier, France.
The Vierge du Mas Rillier is a colossal statue built from reinforced concrete, standing 32.6 meters tall at Esplanade de la Madone. Inside the structure, staircases lead to an observation platform located within the Virgin Mary's crown, offering visitors a view from above.
The monument was completed in 1941 by architect Louis Mortamet and artist Georges Serraz during World War II. It replaced the former Château de Miribel that previously occupied this site.
The statue depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child and has been officially recognized as a historical monument since 2020. It serves as a visible landmark that shapes how people experience the local religious landscape.
The monument is located at Esplanade de la Madone and offers free access to visitors. Plan about 30 minutes to explore the statue and climb the internal stairs, especially if you want to reach the observation platform in the crown.
The interior of the monument is fully equipped with functioning staircases that allow visitors to climb through the statue from bottom to top. This accessibility feature was unusual for monuments of this scale and era, transforming what could have been a simple viewing structure into an interactive experience.
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