I like to update this older post for you and me. Indeed I passed by it again today so many times it seems I live here… This is historical, architecturally stunning Sainte Anne d’Auray! I will be telling you again about Sainte Anne d’Auray and the Basilica of Sainte Anne (sse post); the patron Saint of Brittany. According to the Bible, the mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus.
I have written on this religious town often as it is just 20 minutes from my house. However, on July 25-26 each year will be the pardon holy day of Sainte Anne in the town, and we passed by it for just an opener. Even in these pandemic days, the town was full if the grand pardon could not be done into the fields , on site it was nice worth seeing me think.
I would not go into more details as I have written on the story and history of this high religious stop in the Morbihan Breton on several occasions. Suffixes to say it is a wonderful complex of the Basilica of Sainte Anne, to the statues of her all over the park, to the area where Pope John Paul II visited in 1996. You will find the monument plaque to Pope John Paul II visit in September 26 1996. It is made exactly 16,129 blocks offered by the pilgrims. It is surrounded by 12 granite columns, recalling that these are the twelve bishops of the twelve dioceses of the ecclesiastical region of western France who invited the Pope to come to this region: Angers, Bayeux, Coutances, Laval, Le Mans, Luzon, Nantes, Quimper, Rennes, St. Brieuc, Sees, Vannes. There is figure stele bearing the image of John Paul II.
You will see the stairs or Holy Stairs (see post). This monument was built in 1662 by the Carmelite Fathers. Currently located in the area of the spine, the Scala Sancta was until 1870 the front porch of the Basilica and thus defining the place reserved for prayer. You see the baptismal fountain or fontaine, the place of the first prayer and statue of Sainte Anne right coming straight to the Basilica. By choosing the fountain as a place of its first appearance, Ste. Anne reminds us of the importance of the source of water, but above the water of baptism: as water is essential to our lives, baptism is essential to grow in faith. The water of baptism makes us children of God and Ste. Anne, by appearing at the fountain, invites us to return to our baptismal promises.
The Basilica dedicated to Saint Anne (see post) is the heart of the sanctuary. It replaced, in the late 19C, in 1872, the first chapel built by Yves Nicolazic chapel became too small to accommodate the crowd of pilgrims. It was built in the same field of Bocenno which was found the original statue of Ste. Anne by Yves Nicolazic. Neo-Gothic combines the grace of the Renaissance, model houses the tombs of Yves Nicolazic , the man who saw Ste. Anne and Pierre de Keriolet the penitent. A bas-relief on a pillar of the choir, right, points out the spot where Yves Nicolazic and its neighbors, discovered the statue of Sainte Anne March 7, 1625.
You will see a Chapel dedicated to Sainte Anne and another one to Sainte Marie . The beautiful organ is spiral right against the left side wall of the altar. And the stained glass is wonderful vivid and bright well done and tells the story well.
The sanctuary of Sainte Anne official webpage: http://www.sainteanne-sanctuaire.com/?langue=en
The Sanctuary of Sainte Anne d’Auray on the Grand Pardon day: http://www.sainteanne-sanctuaire.com/?mode=grand_pardon
The Bay of Quiberon local tourist office on Sainte Anne d’Auray: https://www.baiedequiberon.co.uk/sainte-anne-dauray
Again, a day is needed to see this wonderful spot and very worth the detour for those traveling along the N24 or N165. It is worth it to understand the history of Brittany as well as France, and the beautiful architecture if not the religious fervor that it attracts. The Basilica of Sainte Anne is worth the detour.
And remember, happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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