Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, La Salette-Fallavaux, France Verified listing

Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, La Salette-Fallavaux, France

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of La Salette, a prominent Catholic pilgrimage site, commemorates the 1846 Virgin Mary apparition. The local bishop recognized this apparition in 1851 and 1855, leading to the church’s construction atop La Salette-Fallavaux village near Corps, France. Officially consecrated in 1879, this sanctuary gained status as a minor basilica, joining France’s revered Marian sites.

Surrounded by mountains at 1,800 meters, it attracts around 300,000 pilgrims each year. Over time, more buildings and an integrated hostelry for pilgrims expanded the sanctuary. Outside, life-size bronze statues illustrate scenes from the Marian apparition, enriching its spiritual experience.

Initially, poor access made reaching La Salette difficult due to the lack of roads. By the mid-19th century, a steep mountain road opened but proved challenging for vehicles. However, in the 1960s, a new road enabled cars and coaches to reach it with ease. Yet, the steep Laffrey descent along this route has caused three major accidents, tragically taking 98 lives.

The sanctuary sits in the Pays de Corps region, high above La Salette-Fallavaux, between the Beaumont massif and Valgaudemar valley. Until the mid-1800s, few ventured here, relying only on shepherds’ trails. Only shepherds and their flocks roamed the Mount Gargas slopes, grazing the mountain pastures. Today, pilgrims travel the same paths that once were known only to locals.

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