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The chapel

The chapel of St. Marie-Madeleine d’Otsanz, in the parish of Ustaritz, is on one of the pilgrims’ routes leading to Santiago de Compostela. The chapel’s origins are still a mystery. It is first mentioned in a French land survey of 1810. According to a widespread Basque legend, St Léon, the first bishop of Bayonne, celebrated Mass there in the 10th century. It fell into disrepair after the French revolution in 1789.

In 1991 René Clément bought the land surrounding the chapel ruins. The chapel itself, owned by the town-council of Ustaritz, was ceded to the Fondation René Clément for one symbolic franc. The ‘Commission supérieure des Monuments historiques’ (charged with protecting French historical monuments) agreed to a private restoration, and the chapel was rebuilt by the Foundation.

The chapel of St. Marie-Madeleine d’Otsanz was reconsecrated on July 22nd, 2010, with the
liturgical blessing of Mgr Aillet, bishop of Bayonne. A yearly Mass is celebrated there every 22nd of July

The chapel is always open to visitors and pilgrims

Roads leading to the chapel of St Marie-Madeleine d’Otsanz

The chapel’s position : 43,36534° North – 1,50124° West

Architectural and archaeological study