Journey down to Saint Régis

3 points of interest

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  Saint Régis in Lalouvesc

  Reviving catholic faith in people from the hilly regions of Vivarais, Velay and Cevennes was the mission given to Saint Jean François Régis ! Ordained as a priest in 1630 and a missionary in 1632, this tireless walker used to cover 40 to 60 kilometres of ground every day. On 23rd December 1640, in a snowstorm, he left for what was to be his last mission in the North of the Vivarais region. He fell ill on the way and in spite of his high fever, he continued to pray and hear confession up to his last breath. On 31st December 1640 « God’s pilgrim » died in Lalouvesc at the age of 43. He received beatification in 1716 from the Pope Clément Xl and was canonized later on in 1737. Following that, Lalouvesc became a place of pilgrimage and a basilica was built in his name. Its building took 12 years to finish. The Basilica has two belltowers taken from two old churches. The final basilica was consecrated on 5th August 1877 by cardinal Guibert who was archbishop of Paris. The religious building houses relicas of the Saint and the stained glass windows present a visual review of his life. On the occasion of big events the tenor bell rings and can be heard for kilometres around. Information source : Topoguide "Le Chemin de Saint Régis" du Puy en Velay à Lalouvesc

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  Geology