Chapelle de l'Ermitage de Notre-Dame-des-Mines, Medieval chapel on Ermitage hill in Alès, France
This chapel sits on a hilltop outside Alès and is built from limestone blocks. The small sanctuary offers views across the surrounding mountains and countryside from its elevated position.
Augustinian monks built this chapel in the 12th century as a place for prayer and spiritual retreat. In the 18th century Brother Esprit Boyer undertook major restoration work to preserve it for future generations.
The chapel's name comes from a local mining area and it was once a gathering place for workers employed in the region's mines. Today this name still reflects the industrial past and the connection of the place with the people who lived and worked here.
You can reach the chapel on foot from Alès town center via a walking path that is not far away. The climb is steep but short and rewards visitors with a quiet setting away from the city.
A large cast iron statue of the Virgin Mary sits atop the chapel, created by local metalworkers from the city's forges. This figure is visible from many points around town and has become a recognizable part of the skyline.
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