The story of a historical cave told in a book

John Brunetresident of Marpiré (Ille-et-Vilaine), has been working for many years on the Historical heritage of the municipality. After the publication and reissue of some ancient works, he has just completed an exhaustive monograph on the history of Rock of La Salette.

A detailed account supplemented by a rich study, unpublished illustrations and several hundred additional notes. The book is available in pre -order until May 11, 2025.

discover the secrets of this building

“I am passionate about history and minerals. The inhabitants repeated me to go to this cave. At the end of 2021, I went to see this monument lined with slag. This is where I told myself that there were surely things to dig! ».

The cave is a place of meditation and pilgrimage which will be opened until the 90s. After 20 years of closure, John mobilized a small group in order to clean the place and reopen it to the public. After several months of work, they rediscover many elements.

“We were also able to take surveys and take photos. We redid the interior: joinery and paintings. The monument reopened in 2023 for the European Heritage Days. The cave is now open on request and on mass days in Marpiré ”.

More than 2000 pages studied

John went to the departmental archives as part of his research. He learned about the parish books written by the rector.

“We find there day after day with great precision information on construction like the people who participated, the price of materials … When I saw the level of detail, I told myself that there was a real story to tell the inhabitants! »»

John will peel over 2000 pages to transcribe all the information on the cave.

“This book will meet the demand of the most interested people who (re) discover the secrets of this religious building,” explains John.

François Cochet, rector from 1882 to 1908

Initially, it was a field. The church was barely finished. The rector from 1882 to 1908, François Cochet, had a miraculous healing of chronic bronchitis, before his arrival in the commune, at the sanctuary of La Salette in Isère in 1881.

“In thanks, he wanted to erect a monument in his honor. He inquired around: in Saint-Aubin-des-Landes, Val-d’Izé or Paimpont where we had just made a cave in 1884. The same year marked the start of the project in Marpiré, “explains John.

He continues: “The construction will end in several stages: first the cave of the middle ended in 1885. He then decided after, in 1886, to do that of the background (crypt of the appearance). Then we build one staircase from the rear with another extension: a third and last cave dedicated to Notre-Dame des 7 Painters in 1887 was erected. »»

170 illustrations et 230 pages

The book The Rocher de la Salette in the town of Marpiré tells the story of the rector and his relations with the old rectors, how he got here, then the birth of the project and the different stages of reflection.

“The story tells the work and all the people who contributed to it. He had the support of the whole town. It’s a story day after day. There are a lot of footnote notes in order to be as precise as possible. »»

There are also 170 illustrations: plans, photos, postcards. The 230 -page book represents several years of work.

The sale takes place by subscription, the number of orders will be printed. It is sold at a price of € 40. It is possible to order until May 11.

For this, ballots are arranged at the public displays of Marpiré and broadcast on the Facebook page of the town hall. “I hope this book will allow residents to rediscover the cave,” concludes John Brunet.

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