Perched on Mont Verdaille above Cotignac, the Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Grâces is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Provence and a major spiritual landmark in the Var. Surrounded by olive groves and oak forests, the sanctuary also offers sweeping views across the Provence Verte countryside.

The site is closely linked to a remarkable historical event. On 10 and 11 August 1519, a young woodcutter named Jean de la Baume reported an apparition of the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus, accompanied by Saint Bernard and Saint Michael the Archangel. According to his testimony, the Virgin asked that a church be built on that exact spot under the name Notre-Dame de Grâces, and that pilgrims come there in procession to receive the graces she wished to grant.

The message was quickly believed by the local authorities, and the first stone of the sanctuary was laid on 14 September 1519. The choir of the present church dates from 1534, although much of the building was destroyed during the French Revolution and later rebuilt in 1811.

Inside the sanctuary, visitors can see several important devotional objects, including:

• The statue of Notre-Dame de Grâces (1534)

• The Miraculous Painting (1610) is linked to the visions of Brother Fiacre

• Stained glass windows illustrating the apparitions

• Works by Nicolas Mignard

• The heart relic of Brother Fiacre

• An ex-voto offered by Louis XIV.

The sanctuary also holds an important place in the history of France. In 1637, the Virgin reportedly appeared several times to Brother Fiacre in Paris, asking that Queen Anne of Austria pray a novena including Notre-Dame de Grâces in Cotignac. Nine months later, Louis XIV was born, an event regarded as miraculous after 22 years without an heir. In gratitude, Louis XIII consecrated France to the Virgin Mary, and Louis XIV himself later visited Cotignac as a pilgrim.

The sanctuary remains active today. Since 1981, it has been entrusted to the Brothers of Saint-John, who welcome pilgrims year-round and organise retreats, pilgrimages, and spiritual events. Visitors can also find accommodation and refreshments at the Foyer de la Sainte Famille, as well as a small pilgrim shop.

Accessible both by road and by a pleasant walking path from the village, the sanctuary combines history, spirituality, and one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Cotignac.

👉 Local tip: Walk to the large cross on the sanctuary forecourt. From there, you get one of the best panoramic views over Cotignac and the surrounding vineyards, and you can see the many ex-votos left by pilgrims in gratitude.