The best traffic-free bike rides around Mortagne-Au-Perche

The original Marian shrine "La Salette," which is referred to in this patronal feast, is located in the French Alps (Grenoble district) and is an important Marian shrine, even if it has not achieved the same level of fame as other pilgrimage sites honoring the Mother of God—such as Lourdes in the French Pyrenees or Fatima in Portugal. The hiking highlight "La Salette" can be found on komoot at the following link =>> https://www.komoot.com/de-de/highlight/1861054

Church built in the 18th century 18th century altarpiece listed as a Historic Monument. A bell tower-porch marks the entrance to the façade. It has a portal. A triplet of louvres is located on each side, under the polygonal spire. Brick buttresses support the side walls and alternate with semicircular bay windows. The nave is unique, with enclosed pews. The paneled vault is barrel-shaped with transverse arches. The choir is adorned with a large altarpiece.

I am delighted to see and see again the basilica of "La chapelle Montligeon" and I am proud to have been the doctor of this charming village. In the year 2000 and following after 40 years of general medicine in Paris. R.G. Dean of the "couch of doctors".

From very humble beginnings, a significant sanctuary with a very unusual patronage has emerged in La Chapelle-Montligeon, one I've never encountered anywhere else: The church here, with the papal distinction of "Basilica Minor," is not one of the usual churches dedicated to Our Lady, but rather specifically to "Our Lady, the Liberator of Souls in Purgatory." The present pilgrimage church was built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, as the previous building had become far too small for the pilgrims who came here.

Moutiers is one of the oldest villages in the Perche region, built around a monastery founded in the 6th century and destroyed by the Norman invasions. This is where the village's name comes from, since "Moutiers" means monastery in Old French. On the slopes of the hill, called Mont Harou, stands the church, flanked by a few typical Perche houses that form the old town. To reach it, you'll have to navigate the steep, straight climb of Church Street or take a detour through small streets that soften the steepness of the climb. The church square offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area. Don't forget to walk around the church to admire the gargoyles, which are quite exceptional for such a small church. Restrooms and water are available right next door.

The church was built in 1865 by Father Migorel, who supposedly had three visions of a church to be built on a hilltop at the junction of three roads. It was consecrated in 1867 and opened for worship. The octagonal tower, erected in 1871, is decorated with polychrome bricks and topped with four turrets housing statues of archangels.

Praying for your deceased is more than necessary. If you don't pray for yours, pray for mine. 🙏🏻😇

With a very simple plan, with its tiled nave and its small slate bell tower on the ridge, the church surrounded by its cemetery, set back from the road, overlooks the countryside planted with trees. The river is nearby, and its flowing water evokes that of the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, as soon as we see the statue of the patron, Saint John the Baptist, in the choir. His arm raised towards the sky reminds us of his preaching in the desert of Palestine: "Prepare for the coming of the Messiah...". On the thin banner attached to his staff are written the words: "Ecce Agnus Dei", by which he already announced that he saw in Jesus the victim freely offering himself as a sacrifice for the Redemption of all men. Placed on the ground against the wall, a 17th century painting. depicts Jesus immersed up to his knees in the waters of the river, leaning with his hands crossed on his chest to receive the baptism of penance from the hand of John kneeling on the bank. We see “the Spirit descending on him like a dove” and we recall the words of John reported in the Gospel: “I am not worthy to bow down at his feet… I have baptized you in water; he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.” Beside him, the angel wearing Jesus’ clothes turns his face towards a young child whom he guides with a hand placed on his shoulder, as if to teach him the profound meaning of baptism. Above the arch through which the nave opens onto the choir, the group of Christ on the cross surrounded by Mary and Saint John the Evangelist is a fine example of 16th century religious sculpture, faithful to traditional iconography. Similarly, at the back of the nave is the charming naive statue of Saint Fiacre: this young monk from Ireland loved to cultivate the vegetable garden of his monastery, near Meaux. Patron saint of gardeners, he holds his spade, and in the Perche region he was also invoked to cure various illnesses. More unique in style, the large Renaissance chest serving as a central altar was the former “work bench of the factory” reserved for the administrators of the parish’s resources and expenses. Let us admire the skill and imagination of the cabinetmaker who carved this series of full-length figures in oak under the arcades separated by “terms” inspired by Roman antiquity. Their distinctive attributes make us recognize Saints Christine, Barbara, Madeleine and Catherine on the front, and on the sides Saints Peter and Paul on the right, John the Baptist and Bartholomew on the left. Their silhouettes are more reminiscent of fairy tale characters…