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Origin and history

The chapel Notre-Dame de la Borne originated in a vow made by Charles d'Aubusson, seigneur of la Borne, at the beginning of the sixteenth century. As he hunted in the neighbouring marshes, he almost died swallowed up and implored the Virgin Mary, promising to dedicate him an oratory if he survived. Saved, he kept his promise by rebuilding a chapel on this site, completed in 1524 as evidenced by the inscription "FAICTE L'AN 1524" engraved on a foothill. A legend also tells that a statue of the Virgin, discovered buried there, would have caused a miraculous spring to spring still visible near the altar.

Although the current chapel dates from the 16th century, a communal charter mentions the existence of a primitive church on this site as early as 1265. Charles d'Aubusson will therefore finance its complete reconstruction, incorporating remarkable Gothic elements such as the sculpted northern gate, adorned with its coat of arms and those of François de Viersat, Abbé de Chambon. The building, entirely built of granite, includes a unique nave, a choir flanked by side chapels, and a bell tower accessible by a west staircase turret. Its furniture includes a 1522 stained glass window depicting the tree of Jesse, classified as a historical monument as early as 1904.

Consecrated to Marian worship, the chapel is since the 16th century the place of an annual pilgrimage on Pentecost Monday, where the miraculous statue of the Virgin is carried in procession. Ranked a historic monument on April 7, 1921, it illustrates both the seigneurial devotion of the Renaissance and the limousine religious architecture. Its oak tabernacle (XVIIth-15th century) and a 1875 stained glass window commemorating the founding miracle complete its protected furniture heritage.

The history of the chapel thus combines history and legend: the reconstruction by Charles d'Aubusson is part of a tradition of aristocratic piety, while the miraculous source and statue anchor the sanctuary in a lasting popular spirituality. Donor coats of arms and lapidary inscriptions (such as the 1524 date) bear witness to its nobiliary origin, while its sober plan and massive foothills reflect local constructive granite techniques.

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