The caves of Saint-Antoine
Just south of Brive-la-Gaillarde, the national pilgrimage to St Anthony of Padua offers walkers and pilgrims alike five hectares of lush green parkland.
You will be warmly welcomed by Franciscan friars in this peaceful and harmonious setting. Whether you're a pilgrim or just a visitor, don't hesitate to come and meet them!
This site is one of our favourites and one of our top 14 places to visit.
The Saint-Antoine Caves : Gaillard and responsible destination !
- Take a stroll in the 5-hectare wooded park just a stone's throw from Brive town centre and enjoy the peace and quiet of the surroundings to recharge your batteries or recuperate.
- Admire the beautiful panoramic view over the town from the Calvary and discover the huge statue of the Saint. This statue was donated in gratitude to Saint Antoine and the friars for protecting the town during the Second World War.
- The yellow shell on the large entrance portal is a clear indication that the caves are a stopover on the road to Saint-Jacques
- If you're looking for accommodation, stop off at Caves hotel. You'll be welcomed in a spirit of simplicity and conviviality.
- Meet the Franciscan friars who run the place. Very welcoming, they always have anecdotes to tell.
The sanctuary of the caves of Saint Anthony
These grotto-sanctuaries, partly carved out of a sandstone escarpment, perpetuate the memory of Saint Anthony of Padua, who came here often in 1226. Shortly after his death, the caves became a place of pilgrimage and a small hermitage was built there. In the last century, the hermitage was replaced by a chapel and a convent, which has since become a guest house.
Saint Anthony protects the town of Brive. Pilgrims still flock to the caves, where he prayed.
From the esplanade, surrounded by magnificent trees, you can follow a rough path through this peaceful enclosure to the calvary, from where you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the town.
How do I get to the Grottes de Saint-Antoine?
- Arriving by train: 13-minutes walk from the station to the caves.
- Arriving by car: once in the town centre, take the direction of Noailles.
- A 20-minute walk from the town centre.
- By bus from the city centre: Line B (Bahuet).
Practical information
Services offered by the sanctuary of the Saint-Antoine caves
- 5 hectares of wooded parkland.
- Monastic accommodation (closed in January) open to all.
- A pilgrimage souvenir shop.
What you need to know about the sanctuary of the Caves of Saint-Antoine
The site is open to the public every day.
Bon plan Pilgrimage to the Grottes de Saint-Antoine
You can just imagine the work of the men who dug out some of these sanctuary caves with their bare hands. In 1226, Saint Anthony of Padua withdrew here to do penance. Today, some visitors come here on pilgrimage, while others choose to climb the steep paths. A single tip: if the climbs aren't too much trouble for you, head for the Way of the Cross and, once you've reached the top, admire the panoramic view over Brive.
Caves of Saint-Antoine,
41 avenue Edmond Michelet,
19100 Brive
05 55 24 10 60
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