BASILIQUE NOTRE-DAME DU CHÊNE

In 1494, Vion's parish priest, James Buret, placed a statuette of the Virgin Mary in an oak tree for the faithful to gather around. Following numerous miraculous healings, the first chapel was built in 1515. It was here that the Virgin Mary appeared to a woman gathering wood in 1595. Further healings gave new impetus to pilgrimages. In 1872, the chapel was demolished to make way for the construction of a large neo-Gothic basilica to house diocesan missionary priests. In 1896, a reproduction of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem was built. It was at this time that pilgrimages to the Holy Land began to develop. This reproduction, one of the few in France to be built entirely in the open air, has suffered considerable damage, but has since been restored.

Today, the center welcomes pilgrims and offers accommodation and meals for retreats, sessions and meetings, either in the spiritual center for individuals and couples, or in a self-catering cottage 50 meters from the basilica for groups, families and associations. The spiritual animation of the center is assured by the Saint-Jean community. They provide liturgy in the basilica and in some surrounding parishes.

Offices : Lauds at 7 a.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 7.30 a.m. Sunday, mass at 11.30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, 11.30 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, midday at 12.15 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, vespers at 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and Sunday and 7 p.m. Saturday, holy hour at 0.30 a.m. Thursday. Adoration from 5:30pm to 6:30pm Monday to Wednesday and Friday, at 6pm Saturday and from 3:30pm to 5pm Sunday. A priest is present at the Basilica from Tuesday to Sunday, from 3pm to 5pm, for conversation and confession.

Accommodation : 26 rooms (single and double), capacity 50 people. Half and full board available. Gîte with 7 rooms, capacity for 30 people. Chapel and oratory available to guests.

Store : open Tuesday to Friday, 2pm to 6pm, Saturday 2pm to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 1pm. Religious items for sale (medals, rosaries, icons, etc.), gourmet products (spelt flour and products, honeys, sweets, etc.), cosmetics, stationery, bookshop.

Visits : free access to the copy of the Holy Sepulchre, the great organ restored in 2015, and the many murals and paintings in the basilica.