Sanctuaire Saint-Joseph de Bon Espoir
At the gates of Puy-en-Velay, in the Borne valley, the Saint Joseph sanctuary in Espaly-Saint-Marcel occupies the site of the former chapel of a fortified castle.
The monumental statue that dominates the chapel was built of reinforced concrete. The work of Brother André Besqueut, its creation was approved by Pope Pius X. Its inauguration and blessing took place on April 11, 1910.
You can also visit the cave chapels (completely renovated in 2013) at the foot of the statue and the church in the form of a medieval fortress (1913-1918). Around the sanctuary, a few narrow and picturesque streets (rue abbé-Fontanille, rue du Rocher, rue de l'Entonnoir…) make up the old part of Espaly.
Exceptional panorama over the town of Le Puy-en-Velay.
Shop: open all year round from 10:00 to 11:30 and from 14:30 to 18:00 (17:30 in winter).
Masses: Sundays and Wednesdays at 9:00 am,
Pilgrimages (special programs) on March 19 and May 1.
Basilica, grotto chapel: free entry all year round from 8am to 18pm.
Themes
Visit
Individual visit services
- Unguided individual tours permanently
Opening
| Opening hours from January 01st to December 31st, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Monday | Open from 08:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm |
| Tuesday | Open from 08:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm |
| Wednesday | Open from 08:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm |
| Thursday | Open from 08:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm |
| Friday | Open from 08:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm |
| Saturday | Open from 08:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm |
| Sunday | Open from 08:18 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm |