Notre-Dame de Montligeon Sanctuary
Set in the hills of Perche, 150 km west of Paris, the Notre-Dame de Montligeon sanctuary is a place of hope, a place of comfort and a place of peace. It is a unique place in the world dedicated to prayer for the dead, where pilgrims come to pray and entrust their deceased loved ones.
It leads to what matters most: realizing that life is stronger than death and that hope is stronger than sorrow.
Retreats organized by the community
The sanctuary of prayer for the deceased: Notre-Dame de Montligeon
Located in the Perche Regional Natural Park, backed by the Réno-Valdieu forest, right in the middle of the Perche hills, the basilica is nestled in a magnificent landscape of meadows and forests crisscrossed by numerous sunken lanes bordered by lush vegetation.
The "cathedral in the fields", as it is sometimes called, always surprises when it suddenly appears around a bend in a road or path in the middle of nowhere. It's surprising that it hasn't yet been used as a film location given the beauty of this building and its surrounding nature! And yes, because such spiritual places inspire artists! Read more in this article: Quiet on set at the abbey!
Plunged in the darkness of a winter evening or flooded with summer light, the basilica always offers itself to pilgrims and visitors as a beacon to find the path to hope again.
The Notre-Dame de Montligeon basilica has 2 spires rising 60 m into the sky. In neo-Gothic style, the religious building was constructed between 1894 and 1911, at the initiative of Father Paul Buguet. Affected by the death of three of his loved ones, he decided to dedicate a sanctuary to prayer for the deceased and more particularly for "abandoned souls in purgatory". People pray here to "Our Lady Liberator of souls in purgatory". A major center of prayer for the deceased and an important pilgrimage site, its stained glass windows are particularly renowned.
Mary, star of hope, consoler of the afflicted, liberator of souls, envelops mankind with her mantle just as she envelops the two mysterious female figures at her feet in the basilica statue.
A community of priests, sisters and volunteers
The Montligeon Sanctuary community brings together men and women serving pilgrims. In black for the priests, in burgundy, yellow and white for the sisters, in all colors for the staff and volunteers, you'll meet and interact with them during your stay!
Most of the priests at the sanctuary are members of the Community of Saint Martin, a community founded in 1976 whose motherhouse is in Mayenne, in Evron (53). They exercise their ministry in the service of dioceses in small fraternities of three, four or five priests.
The Sisters of the New Alliance combine contemplative life with missionary life. Their priory is located in the village, below the basilica. You can find some of their products at the shop. As for the color of their habit, it recalls their devotion to the Eucharist.
Priests, religious, staff and volunteers are at your service. Don't hesitate to ask them for help, and remember to respect and facilitate their work by following the instructions you're given!
And for a guided tour of the sanctuary, just click below!
What to expect during your stay
Taking a retreat at Notre-Dame de Montligeon sanctuary
A space for welcome and listening, the sanctuary receives 100,000 pilgrims per year and nearly 20,000 retreatants. Why do so many people take a spiritual retreat in places like Montligeon? Discover here all the reasons!
The Sanctuary welcomes pilgrims walking the GR® 22, from Paris Notre-Dame to Mont-Saint-Michel, and people wishing to take time for retreat and contemplation, particularly those facing grief or workplace difficulties.
The Sanctuary organizes no fewer than 50 events per year to offer a different perspective on the world: grief sessions, meaning of work, pilgrimages and training programs…
The Sanctuary organizes sessions dedicated to grief
Throughout the year, weekends and weeks of consolation for grief are offered for those who have lost a loved one and are struggling with their grief.
The Sanctuary organizes sessions dedicated to couples
Couples experience highs and lows that reason cannot explain. Feelings can be shared or, on the contrary, distant and cold. Like any precious object, a relationship requires attention and maintenance. The sanctuary provides moments of pause to reconnect as a couple and rediscover love and its motivations.
The Sanctuary organizes family sessions
Enjoy restful spiritual vacations at Montligeon, where volunteers look after your children. Meanwhile, parents can relax as a couple, participate in friendly activities and attend teachings. Families can also interact with each other and form friendships. All in a peaceful rural setting.
The Sanctuary offers "mom break" retreats
A special time for mothers to take time for themselves, breathe, pray and share, by organizing a weekend without children (to be discussed with your spouse).
Accommodation at Notre-Dame de Montligeon sanctuary
In addition to the basilica dedicated to celebrations, the sanctuary comprises 3 large buildings dedicated to welcoming the public (L'Ermitage, Sainte Thérèse and Jérusalem). A 10,000 m2 industrial wasteland is being converted into a craftsmen's village (Les Ateliers Buguet).
L'Ermitage is the main building dedicated to welcoming pilgrims. It includes 4 large dining rooms, individual rooms and listening lounges. In total, 300 beds are distributed in single rooms, double rooms or dormitories across the entire property.
The sanctuary also offers houses with a capacity of 2 to 20 people. These houses are available to groups and families.
Meals are served in the pilgrims' dining room at L'Ermitage. Village houses are equipped for self-catering.
On site, you have access to the facilities of the small country village of La Chapelle Montligeon: bakery, café, restaurant, grocery store. If you're traveling by bike or car, you can also enjoy the Mortagne au Perche market or the artisans of Bellême, two towns located within a 20km radius.
In total, the sanctuary can accommodate groups of 2 to 300 people for lodging and more than 500 people for catering for a day!
Geography and activities
The Sanctuary surroundings, in the heart of Perche Regional Natural Park
The Perche hills are renowned for their walking paths, on horseback (Percheron), by bike (mountain bike or electric-assist bike to handle the slopes) or on foot…
The hamlets, manor houses and surrounding villages with their gardens are all worth the trip! Discover the Montperthuis gardens, the Boiscorde manor or the royal and military college of Thiron-Gardais, to name just a few!
And if you're looking for other retreat locations in this region, you can check out the article Where to take a retreat in Normandy, which will give you an overview of other places that can welcome you for a spiritual retreat!
Practical information
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