Chapel of the Tomb of Saint-Cérats

About

The Chapel of the Tomb of Saint Cerats has traditionally been a place of pilgrimage. This place has become famous for its miraculous cures: it is said that ‘the water that runs through the holy tomb is miraculous’.

But who is Saint Cérats? Cérats was bishop of Grenoble around 450. Driven out of the city for refusing to renounce his Catholic faith, he settled in Simorre to develop this cult. At the end of his life, he settled in a forest to the north of Simorre, and a series of miracles followed. This is how the place came to be known as Saintes. When he died, his sanctity was proclaimed and he became the patron saint of Simorre. To pay tribute to him, his sarcophagus was buried in an oratory in Saintes. The legend surrounding the discovery of his sarcophagus also contributes to the mysticism surrounding this figure and this place.

The chapel on the site dates back to 1877, and has been renovated by a group of rural heritage enthusiasts. To carry out their mission, they have created an association: the Friends of Saintes Heritage. Events are organised to bring the church to life, particularly on Whit Monday, to revive memories of the great processions of yesteryear.

A document available from the Tourist Office details the history and interest of the site.
Visit the site, where an explanatory panel has been installed by the Patrimoine et Culture association – the site is included in the Simorre discovery tour.

Spoken languages : French

Location