Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Laghet

Gazing up at Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Laghet, do you sense the echoes of miracles? This sanctuary, nestled high in the hills between Nice and Monaco, has been a beacon of hope for centuries. Its story begins humbly, in the 15th century, with a small chapel offering shelter to all. Don Jacques Fighiera, a priest from Eze, restored this chapel in 1625. Little did he know, Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Laghet was about to become a place of extraordinary events. The year 1652 marked a turning point. Three incredible events unfolded, igniting a tradition of pilgrimage to Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Laghet. A leper was healed, a prisoner escaped Barbary pirates, and a possessed girl found deliverance. News of these miracles spread like wildfire, drawing pilgrims from near and far to Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Laghet. Theologians confirmed the miracles’ authenticity in 1653, solidifying the sanctuary’s sacred reputation. A new sanctuary arose, its walls soon adorned with ex-votos, painted testimonials to the miracles witnessed at Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Laghet. Over 4,000 ex-votos bear witness to the unwavering faith of pilgrims, with 800 recognized as historical monuments. Above the main altar stands a beautiful statue of the Virgin Mary. This statue, crafted from a sorbier tree trunk by Parisian artist Pierre Moise and painted by Niçois artist Jean Rocca, was a gift from Don Jacques Fighiera to Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Laghet. It arrived in a procession led by the White Penitents of Eze on June 24, 1652. The French Revolution brought turmoil. In 1792, revolutionary troops ransacked the sanctuary, forcing the Carmelite fathers who resided there to flee. The precious statue of the Virgin was hidden in La Turbie by Denis Lanteri, safeguarding it from destruction. The ex-votos, however, were not so fortunate and were destroyed. Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Laghet reopened in 1797, a testament to its enduring spirit. The Carmelite fathers returned in 1815, continuing the sanctuary’s legacy. The 19th century witnessed the birth of Saint Francis-Marie from nearby Camporosso, Italy. Healed as a child through the intercession of Notre-Dame de Laghet, he became a Capuchin friar, spreading devotion to the sanctuary throughout his life. In 1900, the statue of Notre-Dame de Laghet was crowned, further cementing its significance. Despite facing challenges like the expulsion of the Carmelite fathers in 1903, Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Laghet persevered. It became a parish church, a seminary, and a retreat center, always a haven for those seeking spiritual solace. Today, Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Laghet continues to welcome pilgrims, offering a place of peace and reflection. Whether you seek a quiet retreat, a moment of prayer, or simply the tranquility of its surroundings, Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Laghet offers a profound experience.