Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Garde

Can you imagine a time when druids worshipped a statue of the Virgin Mary? The Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Garde, standing before you, is a testament to this remarkable history. This basilica, a designated minor basilica, stands as a beacon of faith and heritage in the heart of Longpont-sur-Orge. The basilica’s humble beginnings are rooted in a small chapel, built at the site of an ancient druidic place of worship. Legend has it that in the third century, a wooden statue of a woman holding a child was discovered in a hollow oak tree on the hill of Longpont. This seemingly miraculous discovery later led to the construction of the original Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Garde in 1031. Standing here, it is hard to believe that this basilica was once home to a community of Cluniac monks, who lived and prayed within its walls for over five centuries. Take a closer look at the gothic portal, its intricate carvings narrating the coronation of the Virgin Mary. The basilica is a fascinating fusion of Romanesque and Gothic styles, a testament to the evolution of architectural trends over the ages. Its interior houses a rich collection of relics, including fragments from the statue venerated by druids, which are thought to have been incorporated into the statue of Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Garde. The basilica also boasts one of the largest reliquaries in France, with over 1294 relics of 528 saints. As you gaze upon the basilica, bear in mind that this place of worship has witnessed centuries of devotion and piety, serving as a spiritual haven for generations of Parisians and pilgrims alike.