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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Notre-Dame de L'Épine Basilica, located in the village of L'Épine (Marne, Grand Est), is a jewel of the flamboyant Gothic, built between 1406 and 1527 thanks to the gifts of pilgrims. Its origin dates back to a chapel attested in the thirteenth century, which became a place of major devotion in Champagne after the legendary discovery, by shepherds, of a statue of the Virgin in a burning bush of thorns. This narrative, popularized in the 17th century, anchored the site as a pilgrimage destination, with periods of fervent influx in the 15th and 17th centuries, then a renaissance in the 19th century after the Franco-Prussian war.

The building, classified as a historical monument since 1840 and registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 (paths to Santiago de Compostela), impresses with its three-gate façade surmounted by two arrows – one rebuilt in 1868 after its destruction in 1798 for a Chappe telegraph. Inside, a 15th century jube houses the miraculous statue of the Virgin, while gargoyles and carved details illustrate the mastery of the artisans. The basilica, raised to this rank in 1914, remains a symbol of faith and art, celebrated by writers such as Victor Hugo or Paul Claudel.

The pilgrimage, still active today, culminates at the feast of the Assumption and diocesan pilgrimage in May. In 2008, a brass liturgical furniture, created by Jacques Dieudonné, modernized the sacred space. The basilica also inspired popular culture, as evidenced by its appearance on a 2003 stamp (4.4 million copies sold) or its role in the novel Nephilim. Its history reflects both medieval piety, revolutionary upheavals, and cultural resilience until the contemporary era.

Future

The Notre-Dame de L'Épine Basilica is one of 71 monuments and 7 portions of paths have been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1998 under the official title of "Chemins de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle en France".

It was at the edge of one of the 4 classic tracks (Via Turonensis, Via Lemovicensis, Via Podiensis and Via Tolosana). The pilgrims therefore had to make a detour to visit it.

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