An unusual visit in Ariège: the Notre-Dame-de-la-Goutte chapel

Whether you’re a believer or not, you can’t help but admire the charm of this little chapel. Located at the crossroads of the Ariège, Abbé Piquemal ‘s work is worthy of the greatest surrealists. Your Les Grottes campsite offers you the chance to take a stroll near this historic monument. The Notre Dame de la Goutte chapel has become a place of pilgrimage in ways as unpredictable as they are unexpected.

An unusual place near Saint-Girons

Notre Dame de la Goutte is located a stone’s throw from Saint-Girons, in the small village of Montardit, on the road leading to Sainte-Croix-Volvestre. Its history, and that of its construction, are quite incredible. It’s the 1960s. The new parish priest of Montardit,Abbé Jean-Marie Piquemal, first decided to restore the village church of Sainte-Croix. Gifted with his hands and a passion for building, a few years later he decided to build a chapel in a place easily accessible to all his parishioners. His choice was “La Goutte”. A place where water flows drop by drop…

Stone by stone, the chapel takes shape

Inaugurated in 1976 by the Bishop of Pamiers, the Notre-Dame de la Goutte chapel is an “authentic place of grace”. Stone by stone, with the determination of a gold digger, the Abbé scoured the surrounding paths and forests to pick out the most beautiful stones hidden in the tall grass. He was helped in his task by a mason, François Folch-Corbi, and a small group of volunteers. In 1985, the chapel became an official pilgrimage site on September 15, the feast of Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs. For over 30 years, he continued to decorate the chapel and adjoining garden, until his death in 2001.

And in the middle of this humid little corner of paradise, where water trickles down, stands a somewhat surreal chapel. This work of art is reminiscent of the “Palais idéal du facteur Cheval”. Make the most of your vacation at camping des Grottes, near Tarascon-sur-Ariège, to visit the Notre-Dame-de-la-Goutte chapel.