History
The name “La-Délivrande” (“the deliverance”) has Celtic origins. The river “Yu” (Celtic) marks a boundary “Rand” (Celtic). The name then becomes “Yvrande”. Later this changes to “L'Yvrande” and then to “Delle Yvrande” to arrive at the current “Douvres-la-Délivrande”. The addition of “Douvres” arose in 1961, when the place name “Douvres” was extended with the name of the basilica “La-Délivrande”.
The pilgrimage began in the 7th century when Regnobert of Bayeux (+668), Bishop of Bayeux (625-668), established a chapel in “Délivrande” in honour of Mary. The statue of Mary in this chapel disappeared during Norman raids. Centuries later, this statue was found by a sheep. Subsequently, a chapel was built, which occurred around 1150.
“Douvres” is named after a body of water and also after the English town of Dover. In Douvres in 1066, warriors assembled for William I, William the Conqueror, c. 1028-1087, the first Norman king of England (1066-1087) and count of Normandy (1035-1087).
The basilica Notre-Dame-de-la-Délivrande replaces a Romanesque chapel from c.1150. The pilgrimage site is the oldest in Normandy.
In the Middle Ages, the pilgrimage site was as popular as the pilgrimage to Mont-Saint-Michel. In 1470 and 1473, Louis XI (1423-1483), King of France (1461-1483), made pilgrimages to Notre-Dame la Délivrande.
In 1561, the original miraculous image was destroyed during a religious war between Catholics and Protestants. Around 1580, the image was replaced by a new, stone, black effigy, which stands in the basilica to this day.
In 1793, there were severe disturbances again and the church was closed. The statue of grace was hidden in Caen for several years.
The neo-Gothic basilica was built between 1854 and 1878. The architect is Jacques-Eugène Barthélémy (1799-1882) from Rouen.
In the basilica stands the 16th-century shrine of the Heavy Madonna. It is the depiction of “Notre-Dame la Délivrande”. The original statue of Our Lady dates from the Middle Ages, but was destroyed by Protestants in 1561. The current statue was donated by a canon in 1580.
The effigy may be black because it was found in the 11th century, after lying underground for over 200 years. Another reason may be that it replaces an original statue from Egypt, where an effigy of Mary has dark skin. Converts to the Catholic faith from North Africa brought the dark statue with them to France.
In 1823, interest in the statue of Mary experienced a huge surge. This was partly due to the establishment of the Missionaries of the Brothers of La Délivrande.
In 1836, writer, poet and politician Victor Hugo (1802-1885) makes a pilgrimage to La Délivrande. He writes to his wife: “There are days when prayers come to me. I allow this and thank God for it.”
On 22 August 1872, the statue of Mary was crowned. This was done following a decision by Pius IX, Pope from 1846-1878, born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti (1792-1878). The solemn crowning took place by Henri-Marie-Gaston Boisnormand de Bonnechose (1800-1883), Archbishop of Rouen (1858-1883).
14-year-old Thérèse Martin (1873-1897) from Alençon, her sister Marie-Céline (1869-1959) and father Louis Martin (1823-1894) visit the shrine of Our Lady of Grace to ask for support for her journey to see the Pope in Rome, seeking permission to enter the Carmelites in Lisieux. In 1887, she has an audience with the Pope.
On 22 August 1895, Leo XIII, Pope from 1878-1903, born Vincenzo, Gioacchino, Raffaele, Luigi Pecci (1820-1903), elevated the church to the status of a basilica. The reason for this is the significance the church has held for centuries for many pilgrims to profess their faith.
In 1921-1922, the artistic painter Joseph-Jean-Felix Aubert (1849-1924) created the Stations of the Cross in the basilica. In the chapels, thank you offerings (ex votos) are displayed on marble plaques. Model ships are also present as thanks for a rescue.
Due to a bombing on 6 June 1944, the day of the Allied invasion, the basilica suffered significant damage. Stained-glass windows were restored by, among others, glass artist Georges Sagot (1898-1975) and painter Robert Devoucoux (1911-1997).
On 5 January 2011, the new altar of the basilica was consecrated by Jean-Claude Boulanger (*1945), Bishop of Bayeux-Lisieux (2010-2020). This altar contains relics of saints, namely of Jean Eudes (1601-1680), Thérèse of Lisieux/Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897) and her parents Louis Joseph Aloys Stanislas Martin (1823-1894) and Azélie Marie Guérin (1831-1877).
On 17 August 2024, the devotional image received a new mantle.
In 2024, money will be raised for the restoration of the monumental basilica.
Pilgrimage site
Douvres-la-Délivrande is the oldest place of pilgrimage in Normandy and lies near the invasion beaches of 6 June 1944. From afar, the basilica towers over all buildings and trees. The Neo-Gothic basilica and the abbey stand around a small square, in the centre of the old town. The building is visible from afar due to its two tall, pointed towers.
At the entrance, above the door, a tympanum has been fitted. This pediment refers to a miraculous event. On 15 August 1832, following a procession through the streets of the town, a miracle occurred. The cholera epidemic suddenly ended. This is the greatest miracle of Douvres-la-Délivrande.
The pilgrimage site is dedicated to Mary, and this has been the case since the 15th century. At the entrance to the basilica there are two large statues, namely Saint Anne with the young Mary, and Saint Joseph with Jesus. These statues come from the old, Romanesque chapel from the 12th century. The basilica now stands on the site of this chapel.
In the west portal of the basilica is a depiction of the start of the pilgrimage, with Regnobert of Bayeux, Bishop of Bayeux, founding a chapel with a statue of Mary. The north portal shows a depiction of the beginning of the “Vierge Fidèle” convent, which today bears the name “Notre-Dame de Fidélité”. The image below shows the sudden, miraculous healing of a woman during the Eucharist in 1826. Depicted above is the convent that Henriette Le Forestier d'Osseville (1803-1858) had built as thanks for the woman's healing. Henriette is the founder of the Sisters of Notre-Dame de Fidélité (Our Lady of Fidelity). The north portal also features glass artworks by René Lalique (1860-1945).
In the basilica stands a 16th-century effigy of the Black Madonna in a richly decorated niche, to the left of the chancel. This is the miraculous image, to which many pilgrims still come. The statue of the Black Madonna and Child is crowned. A marble plaque states that Pope Pius IX decided this. The effigy of Our Lady is polychromed and wears a mantle. The colour of the mantle is related to the liturgical calendar. Miracles are attributed to the miraculous image, such as healings, births, and protections of many fishermen, among others.
Church windows are installed on both sides of the nave of the basilica. These depict Marian apparitions from La Salette, Paris, Lourdes, Pontmain and Fatima, among others. In the chancel, stained-glass windows can be seen, showing scenes from the life of Mary.
In the four chapels on the left and four chapels on the right, Mary is illuminated, such as Our Lady of the Snows, of the Road, of Light, and of Peace. A painted copy of the Black Madonna of Our Lady of Częstochowa can also be seen.
In the basilica, numerous ex-votos are displayed against the walls, including a model of a small ship, which was offered in thanks by fishermen from Port-en-Bessin-Huppain for the rescue of a young fisherman during a storm in the 1960s. Parts of the 1962 film “The Longest Day” were filmed in Port-en-Bessin-Huppain.
The church organisation has plans for the restoration of the basilica.
The basilica has restricted opening hours.
ACCESSIBILITY
Douvres-la-Délivrande is located in Normandy, specifically in the Calvados department. The town is situated just above the large city of Caen and near Luc-sur-Mer. The pilgrimage site is a few kilometres from the D-Day landing beaches of 6 June 1944.
Address: Place de la Basilique, 14440 Douvres-la-Délivrande.
Further information can be found at www.basilique-douvres.fr.
Experience
To discover “la Délivrande” (“the deliverance”), I am going to the oldest place of pilgrimage in Normandy named Douvres-la-Délivrande. After some, long traffic jams near the city of Caen, I arrive at the basilica on a Saturday evening.
Unfortunately, I'm late for the basilica due to traffic congestion. The Eucharist service has already finished and the doors are closed. I'll take some pictures of the building, where the Black Madonna is housed, and decide to come back the next morning, as there’s a service at 11:00 AM then. Now I need to arrange accommodation. It’s not possible at the monastery next to the basilica, as the entire complex is empty and looks forlorn. It’s now mid-October and there’s no sign of activities in the month of the rosary here. What now?
After walking a few streets in the village, I come across a “Bed & Breakfast” and there's a room available. Next, I need to find a restaurant.
On Sunday morning, around 9:00 AM, I will visit the “Chapelle de la Vierge Fidèle” (Chapel of the Faithful Virgin) in Rue du Bout Varin. I also find the “Chapelle Lalique” to be wonderfully beautiful.
On Sunday morning at 10.30 am I will be at the basilica. Now the door is open and I am going to visit the Black Madonna. In the basilica I am immediately greeted by the warmth the interior gives me. What a beautiful building this is! What a house of God! First, I greet Mary and there I stand for minutes praying, thanking, and admiring. It feels like a miracle that I am here. That being here with Mary happens to me like this!
After having stood by the Black Madonna, it's time for a tour of the basilica. I am increasingly convinced that this basilica is a jewel for visitors. I see leaflets lying around indicating fundraising for the restoration of the basilica.
I take a seat on a bench. It is 11.00 am. The mass begins.
Environment
Walking and cycling routes can be mapped out in the region around Douvres-la-Délivrande. In the town, visitors can explore the chapel of “Notre-Dame de Fidélité” on Rue du Bout Varin, close to the basilica. There are also works of art and stained-glass windows by René Lalique (1860-1945).
The D-Day landing beaches of June 1944 can be visited and are a short distance away. Near Douvres-la-Délivrande is the town of Courseulles-sur-Mer, where Canadian soldiers landed on 6 June 1944. Here, in addition to the beach, the Juno Beach Centre can also be visited. Information can be found at www.junobeach.org.
In Douvres-la-Délivrande there is a cemetery of honour with over 900 gravestones of Allied soldiers and almost 200 German graves.
The city with a historic centre is Bayeux. This place is located 26 km from Douvres-la-Délivrande. Bayeux is the first city to be liberated by the Allies in June 1944.
Douvres-la-Délivrande is located about 10 km from the large city of Caen.
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