Sainte Anne d'Auray
How to get there
By road: A11 (Motorway, Paris-Rennes), N24 (Trunk road, Rennes-Ploermel-Vannes), and N 1 65 exit Auray.
By train: Direct link by TGV (high speed train) all year. SNCF station Auray. Paris- Auray 3 hrs 30 mins.
By air: Airport Lorient-lann Bihoue at 45 mins. Tel. (33) 2 97 87 21 50
History and message
Sainte Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary, has been venerated here
since
the Vth century. The pilgrimage started in the XVIIth century, after
apparitions of Saint Anne to Yves Nicolazic, a pious labourer. The 7th
of march 1625, he discovers in the field of the Bocenno an ancient
wooden statue of the Saint. The Bishop of Vannes, after an inquiry,
recognise the authenticity of the apparition. He authorises he
construction of a chapel in honour of Sainte Anne. This chapel was
replaced by the actual basilica (1865.1872).
Sainte Anne is the mother of all hope, consoler of all afliction. Here, around the family, reading the Bible, on the theme of light, of the rebuilding of the Church,…
visitors can reflect, relax, rest, discover an inner calm.
On 20th september 1996, in the presence of 150 000 pilgrims, Pope John-Paul II called on us to be the builders of the Church in the new generation.
High points
Sainte-Anne d'Auray welcomes pilgrims all year round. From march until october the pilgrimage season is dotted with "pardon" ceremonies from all of the dioceses of Brittany and elsewhere, and by different religious mouvements.
The principal feast days of the Church are celebrated, in particular those linked to Sainte Anne and the Virgin Mary. 26 th of July : Great Feast of Sainte Anne 15 th of August : the Assumption of the Virgin Mary First Sunday in September : Nativity of the Virgin Mary First Sunday in October : end of the pilgrimages
Tourist environment
The Basilica (1865-1872), allies a gothic taste to a renaissance style. At the summit of the tower (75m), stands a bronze statue showing Sainte-Anne, a torch in her hand.
Other visits : the XVII th century cloister, the fountain, the Scala santa, the War memorial for victims of the Great War, the treasury and the galery of religions art, the museum of traditional breton clothes, the house of Yves Nicolazic. Historical - Wax Museum. "Espace Jean-Paul Il" inaugurated on 20th September 1997.
For your pilgrimage
A proposition for one day: 9:00 Audiovisuel presentation. Visite of the sanctuary. 11:00 am pilgrim's Mass 3:00 pm
Prayer time in the basilica Guided visit of the other santuary sites on request (free). Photograph transparencies, exhibitions. Possibility of meeting a priest. Contact : Direction of Pilgrimages Tel (33) 2 97 57 68 80 Fax (33) 2 97 57 63 35