Living cot at the Grottes Saint-Antoine

This 5-hectare park is not only a place of prayer and peace, but also a green setting in which to stroll.

Like the inhabitants of Greccio 800 years ago, like the shepherds of Bethlehem 2000 years ago, be bearers of light, from the caves to the living cot, set up in front of the pilgrims' shelter in front of the church.

Meet at the entrance to the sanctuary.

The history of the living cots

• 1223-2023: 800th anniversary of the "Crib at Greccio": on Christmas night in 1223, Saint Francis of Assisi created a cot in a grotto for the first time in history.
• 1226-2026: 800th centenary of the arrival of Saint Anthony in the Limousin and particularly in Brive. Foundation of the sanctuary of Saint Anthony.

The year was 1223, in Greccio, a small village in the province of Rieti in central Italy. When Saint Francis saw the caves in this village, he felt the desire to "represent the Child born in Bethlehem", the Child lying in a cradle on the straw between the ox and the donkey" (Thomas de Célano, biographer of Saint Francis).

The setting and production were simple: a grotto, a manger, an ox and a donkey that were driven to the site. The news spread and the local villagers arrived with their lights and candles. The story of the cot thus began with a living cot that celebrated the poverty and simplicity of God made Man.