MARINE CEMETERY AND CHAPEL NOTRE-DAME-DES-AUZILS
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Marine cemetery in a haven of peace, leading to the Notre-Dame-Des-Auzils chapel, the flag on the roof indicating its opening
Isolated in the heart of the Massif de la Clape, this site is a haven of peace where you can stroll at your own pace with your family. All along the marine cemetery that leads to the magnificent Notre-Dame-des-Auzils chapel, the people of Gruissan have erected cenotaphs, i.e. tombs without bodies, in memory of their departed sailors. There are around thirty of them, forming the "allée des Naufragés" leading to Notre-Dame-des-Auzils. At Easter and Pentecost, fishermen and their families go there on pilgrimage and attend mass. Mentioned in archives as far back as 1223, Notre-Dame-des-Auzils was rebuilt in 1635, originally as a hermitage for travellers. But in year V of the Republic, after a violent storm that engulfed three fishing boats and their crews, the chapel was consecrated to the Virgin, protector of sailors and the afflicted. After climbing the long slope, visit the hermit's garden halfway up the hill, then the chapel, with its 73 ex-votos donated by local fishermen who had survived shipwrecks. Some are painted in trompe-l'oeil, as they were stolen in 1976. The panorama is incomparable, overlooking Gruissan, the Mediterranean, the garrigue and the vineyards. The flag flying from the roof of the chapel indicates its openness. The marine cemetery is accessible on foot all year round. To preserve this site, please respect and protect it.
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Members' reviews on MARINE CEMETERY AND CHAPEL NOTRE-DAME-DES-AUZILS
Il faut aussi prendre le temps de voir le cimetière marin.
De très belles balades à faire dans la Clape à partir de ce lieu.
La vue sur la région y est superbe. Si vous y êtes à Pâques, participez au pèlerinage, c'est un moment fort en émotions.