Secrets

We have a strange book that I must have purchased at some time or other – ‘Secret Provence’. Occasionally following this book has in the past taken us to some fascinating, if rather obscure, places. As we make our way most mornings along the Apt to Avignon road to do a little shopping in the next village, we always pass a sign to ‘ND Lumière’ and have never thought what it meant or where the road led. Then I read in ‘the book’ about an old convent at ‘Notre Dame de Lumière’ and realised this was the place.
 
Apparently there are so many miracle stories and supernatural happenings linked to the Black Virgin, a dark wooden statue in the convent (see extra), most of which have never been explained, that people still come to make offerings on a regular basis.
 
As you open the door of this impressive building, you are instantly aware of a strange light coming from below.  And you are inevitably drawn to steps leading down to a crypt and then, as you open a glass door you are faced with this – a shrine such as you have never seen before. The light and the depth of it is awe-inspiring. You sit and look, and then look again.
    
Far too hot at the moment to do anything other than sit in the shade, but we are going on a sort of adventure tomorrow.