"A colossal Virgin cast from captured cannons, watching over Le Puy's volcanic landscape"
Our Lady of Le Puy
Le Puy-en-Velay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Rising from a 132-meter volcanic spur, Notre-Dame de France dominates Le Puy-en-Velay's extraordinary skyline. Cast from 213 Russian cannons captured in the Crimean War, this 22.7-meter statue transforms instruments of war into maternal protection. Inaugurated in 1860 before 120,000 pilgrims, she stands with crowned head and crushing serpent, blessing the city below while visitors climb internal stairs to her crown.
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Quick Facts
Location
Le Puy-en-Velay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Tradition
Site Type
Coordinates
45.0533, 3.8686
Last Updated
Jan 18, 2026
Notre-Dame de France emerged from 19th-century Marian devotion, post-Crimean War gratitude, and Le Puy's unique volcanic landscape to become one of France's most recognizable religious monuments.
Origin Story
In 1847, Le Puy launched a competition to create a worthy monument to the Virgin. The requirements were specific: the Child Jesus must bless the city without hiding his mother's face. Bonnassieux won. When Napoleon III donated 213 Russian cannons captured in the Crimean War, the material met the vision. On September 12, 1860, 120,000 pilgrims witnessed the inauguration.
Key Figures
J. Bonnassieux
Sculptor who won the 1847 competition
Napoleon III
Donated 213 captured cannons
Spiritual Lineage
Part of 19th-century wave of monumental Marian statues across France. Joins Le Puy's ensemble of volcanic sacred sites.
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