Perched on the southern flank of Mont Verdaille, overlooking Cotignac, the sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Grâces is much more than a religious monument. It’s a breath of fresh air. A place where the golden stones, the shade of the tall pines and the song of the cicadas create a rare atmosphere of silence and absoluteness. Here, time doesn’t matter. Light is all that counts.
A story born of an apparition
The history of this place is rooted in the land of Provence and its legends. It all began on August 10, 1519. Tradition has it that the Virgin Mary appeared here to Jean de la Baume, a humble woodcutter, with a simple request: to build a chapel to spread her graces.
From this initial wish came an extraordinary destiny. The sanctuary has become a landmark in French history: it was here that King Louis XIII prayed for an heir, giving birth, it is believed, to the future Louis XIV, the Sun King, who would himself come on pilgrimage to thank “Notre-Dame de Cotignac”. Although the current building was rebuilt in 1810 after the turmoil of the French Revolution, it stands on the original foundations. It embodies that unalterable memory, that link between heaven and earth that has spanned the centuries without ever breaking.
A sacred light, an unspoiled landscape
At Notre-Dame de Grâces, the architecture fades into the background. The sanctuary extends over some 15 hectares, immersed in a vibrant Mediterranean landscape of wooded hills, centuries-old holm oaks and restanques of olive trees.
From the esplanade, the view opens out onto the Var plain and distant mountain ranges. It’s a soothing landscape. Each stone, each oratory encountered along the path, each step of the monumental staircase evokes the timelessness of the Provencal art of living. The luxury here is space and silence.
A lively place dedicated to fraternity
It’s not a place stuck in the past. The sanctuary is a beating heart. Now run by a diocesan religious community, it welcomes pilgrims and visitors in search of meaning all year round.
It is famous for its singular pilgrimages, those of fathers and mothers, which see thousands of walkers converge on Cotignac. Beyond faith, the sanctuary embodies sober, sincere hospitality and the values of welcome and kindness that we hold dear. People come here to lay down a burden, to seek an answer, or simply to sit on a low wall and watch the sun set over the vines.
Why this place resonates with the Beaumas spirit
Because, like a farmhouse or a family home we’re looking for you, Notre-Dame de Grâces isn’t just a building. It’s a place of soul.
It’s a space where you can physically feel the harmony between stone, nature and light. To visit Mont Verdaille is to experience at first hand the truth that we at Beaumas uphold: an exceptional place is first and foremost a refuge. A haven of peace capable of protecting and nurturing its inhabitants.
When we speak of “revealing the spirit of the place”, it’s this quality of silence and anchoring that we have in mind.
Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Grâces Mont Verdaille, 83570 Cotignac
The sanctuary is open daily.
An ideal place for a contemplative walk, just a few minutes from the center of the village of Cotignac.
www.nd-de-graces.com
