Our Lady of Liesse

The Black Madonna

The current statue, made of ebony by Charles Buisine, dates from 1857 and replaces the statue burnt down in 1793. It contains ashes from the original statue.

In August 2024, it will be fitted with a crown made by a jewellery student.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

The altarpiece

The Italian Renaissance altarpiece (1610) was a gift from Marie de Médicis, wife of Henri IV and originally from Florence, in thanks for the birth of Louis XIII.

It was restored in 2013 thanks to the generosity of the Knights Hospitallers of the Order of Malta.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

The rood screen

The rood screen, built in 1616, is a stone monument separating the congregation from the clergy, from which the Epistle and Gospel were proclaimed. The rood screen in the basilica of Liesse-Notre-Dame was donated by Marguerite de Gonzague, wife of Henri II of Guise-Lorraine.

Today, rood screens are a rarity in French churches, disappearing little by little in the 18th and 19th centuries, sometimes giving way to simple railings to delimit the choir area. 

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

The diorama

A diorama recounts the founding story of the sanctuary, the liberation of the Hospitallers of Malta, prisoners in Egypt, and their miraculous return with Princess Ismérie. In the form of 8 paintings, produced in 1934 to mark the 8th centenary of the pilgrimage. 

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

The sacristy of Louis XIII

You'll discover objects that speak of the faith of pilgrims: marble plaques for cures, gilded metal hearts, offered at the crowning of the Virgin in 1857. They bear witness to their gratitude, following a wish (ex-voto): work medals, military decorations, crutches or one of the finest fruits of their activitý. 

This area also houses the religious objects shop.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

The ship

As you enter the basilica, start by looking up. You will discover a ship, the "Royal Sun", hanging from the vault. It was donated in 1692 by Admiral de Tourville, Knight of Malta, who had asked Notre-Dame de Liesse to protect it during a naval battle from which the crews had emerged alive.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

The stained glass windows

The pilgrimage association and the parish provide visitors with comments on the stained glass windows using QR codes available on a leaflet at the entrance to the building. 

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Santa Casa Chapel

This chapel, located just a few metres from the basilica, is decorated with a fresco painted by Pierre-Emilien Grenier, a contemporary artist from the Laon region. It measures 10 m x 4.30 m and tells the story of three brother knights from the House of Eppes (near Laon) and Princess Ismérie, the daughter of the Vizier of Egypt, who converted to Christianity.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)