(CNS photos/Regis Duvignau, Reuters) |
The website doesn’t list Mass times, so you may need to plan for that elsewhere.
Why to go: Father Joseph Massie, a cycling enthusiast, founded the chapel in 1958. It was declared a French national shrine for cycling and cyclists under the protection of Mary by Pope John XXIII. The chapel includes a collection of cycling memorabilia (top). The chapel is a popular stop for pilgrims who cycle through France on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Accessibility: It’s a bikers chapel, but if you can drive there, you can probably get inside. The chapel is open to the public May 1-Oct 15, but hours are limited: in July and August, 10 a.m.-noon (except Sunday and Monday) and 3-6 p.m.; in May, June, September and October, 3-6 p.m. (except Monday).
(Grand) Kid friendly: Cyclists of any age are welcome.
Info: Address: Les Amis de Notre Dame des Cyclistes, Maison de la Culture, Place Royale, 40240 La Bastide D’Armagnac, France. Phone: 05-58-44-67-56. Web: www.notredamedescyclistes.net. (Note: The site is in French, although some browsers will translate the home page to English. Some English information is available at http://cartemarialedumonde.org/en/sanctuary/notre-dame-cyclistes.)
- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld; CNS contributed to this story
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org