360° EXTERNAL VIEW

In order to obtain a 360û view, slide the mouse to the left or to the right (Format: Quicktime 4 VR)
A Quicktime 4 player is required and can be freely downloaded from the site :
http://www.apple.com/fr/quicktime/

The whole shrine of Our Lady of Montligeon rises from an immense terrace and is reached from the main drive by means of two great flights of steps; one climbs to the square in front of the Basilica, the other leads up to a spacious, typically French-style garden. The base of the terrace which holds sand from the hill allows processions to be held on days when many people come.
The basilica was built by Monsieur Tessier, architect at Beaupréau. Started in 1896, it was finished in 1911, that is, in the middle of the pseudo-Gothic period (also called neo-Gothic). It has a majestic appearance. The beautiful limestone from the Poitou region has begun to have a sheen, caused by the damp climate. This adds some variety to the striking, primitive whiteness.

Two spires rise up from the façade : despite their slight appearance they are, in fact, 60 metres (almost 200 feet) in height. A tower then a spire had been envisaged above the transept area, but neither could be built because of the soft ground or for financial reasons. Had they been built, they would no doubt have balanced the whole structure.
All around the building, buttresses and flying-buttresses support the vault of the nave. The view from the apse is particularly striking.

On the upper gallery, there can be seen thirty two statues of some of the most famous saints of the Church. Among them are St. Benedict and St. Augustine, St. Ambrose and St. Margaret Mary, St. Francis of Assisi and, nearest to us in time, the Curé of Ars…

External plan with the position of the statues which crown the basilica :