Sanctuaire Notre-Dame du Laus, Catholic sanctuary in Saint-Étienne-le-Laus, France.
Sanctuaire Notre-Dame du Laus is a sanctuary with a basilica and several chapels located in a mountain valley of the Hautes-Alpes. The site includes prayer spaces, pilgrimage paths, and devotional areas that visitors from many regions come to experience.
Construction of the sanctuary began in 1666 following visions of the Virgin Mary experienced by a shepherdess between 1664 and 1718. The basilica received its official status in 1894 after the Vatican recognized the site's religious importance.
The sanctuary owes its name to shepherdess Benoîte Rencurel, who experienced visions of the Virgin Mary at this location. Pilgrims come to pray here and bring their personal requests to this sacred place.
The basilica offers daily masses and confession opportunities throughout the year for visitors. It helps to check opening times and special services before planning your visit.
The sanctuary is nicknamed "refuge of sinners", a phrase traced to the words the Virgin Mary is said to have spoken to Benoîte Rencurel: she asked her Son for this place for the conversion of sinners. The Church presents Laus as a place of mercy and reconciliation.
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