Capelou

Although the present Madonna is of light coloured wood, there is a tradition of a Vierge Noire / black madonna at Capelou in the Périgord, SW France.

"Capelou" means "little chapel" in the original local occitan dialect. The comparatively modern church stands above a healing spring which feeds the bowsening pool on the opposite side of this quiet country lane.

The diocesan pilgrimage to Notre Dame de Capelou is presided over by the Benedictines of Bordeaux, and attracts thousands of pilgrims to this luminous shrine to mark the turning year during the entire week surrounding the week of September 8th.