Prieuré Saint Ortaire, Medieval priory in Saint-Michel-des-Andaines, France.
Prieuré Saint Ortaire is a priory complex in the forest with two chapels dedicated to different saints. The site is located within Ferté-Macé forest and includes a hospitality lodge with a shop selling religious items.
The original building was destroyed during the French Revolution and later rebuilt in a barn structure. This transformation shaped the current form of the priory and its religious function.
The site serves as a pilgrimage destination for people seeking help with illnesses, blending religious devotion with local healing practices. Visitors leave stones here as symbols of their prayers and hopes for recovery.
The site is located in the middle of the forest and can be reached on foot or by car. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for forest paths.
Visitors follow an old tradition by placing stones near the chapel, with larger stones representing more serious illnesses. These stones are believed to fall naturally as a sign of healing.
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