Introduction
This vast building in Neo-Byzantine style built at the end of the 19th century by the architect Edmond Duthoit, is known mainly for the statue standing on top of the gilded dome of its tower: the Virgin showing her child to the World, by the sculptor Albert Roze.

The tower rises to 62 metres. The statue, covered in fine gold, is 5 metres high, the size of the child being equivalent to that of a man.

However, interest in the Basilica is not restricted to the statue, which has become known as the "Leaning Virgin".

The building is impressive in its size and the wealth of its ornamentation of internal and external mosaics, even though it has lost some shine from before its reconstruction.

The church is just over 70 metres long, 35 metres wide at the transepts, and the height beneath the painted timber-framed ceiling is around 23 metres.

Stained-glass windows retrace the history of the miraculous Virgin. The cupola mosaics portray the crowning of the Virgin and the triumph of Saint Michael. The organ is particularly impressive.

History of the monument
Notre-Dame de Brebières has, since the Middle Ages, been the site of an important pilgrimage. Tradition has it that a shepherd guided by a ewe found a statue of the Virgin on marshland in the Ancre Valley, hence the name Notre-Dame de Brebières, which may be derived from 'brebis' ('ewe') or from the 'bourbier' ('mire') of the marsh.

The current statue dates from the 14th century, but the pilgrimage would seem to go back further.

It represents a crowned Virgin carrying a child, with a ewe at her feet.

In 1727 it was transferred from a chapel in the middle of the fields to the parish church.

A basilica was built in the 19th century with donations sent from all over France to accommodate its rising number of pilgrims.

Its tower served as a lookout for the English who made Albert their rear base, and as a target for the Germans whose artillery was at Fricourt.

In January 1915, the statue was hit and left hanging above the town; the leaning Virgin became famous around the world. It fell on 16 April 1918.

The basilica was rebuilt according to the original plans, but with less ornamentation by Louis, son of Edmond Duthoit.

In 1931, an impressive ceremony was organised for the return of the statue of the Virgin.

Practical Info

New in 2005
Visits of the church tower (upon reservation).
Illumination of the interior and exterior of the Basilica starting in December 2004.

Opening times
Open all year 10am-6pm

Prices
Guided tours of the basilic available upon request :
Adults : 4 €
Children : 2 €

Church tower visit :
Adults : 2 €
Children : 1 €

Albert Tourist Office
9 rue Gambetta - 80300 ALBERT
Tel : +33 (0)3 22 75 16 42
Fax : +33 (0)3 22 75 11 72
E-mail : ot.albert.ancre@wanadoo.fr