In 1875, at a time when phylloxera was invading all French vineyards, fervent prayers brought together the winegrowers of the Lower Chablais region, who implored the Blessed Virgin and erected a statue to her on the hillside in the commune of Ballaison.
Phylloxera appeared in the mid-19th century and shamelessly attacked the vines. In France, over 50,000 hectares were ravaged. In 1874, as the means of combating the disease were ineffective, the Geneva government had the vines around Prégny, on the right bank of Lake Geneva, uprooted and burnt. Faced with this danger, the inhabitants of the border towns of Ballaison, Douvaine, Loisin and Massongy, whose main source of income was wine, placed themselves under the protection of the all-powerful Virgin Mary. A year later, on the initiative of the Marquis de Trédicini and with the support of Counts Olivier and Benoît De Boigne and De Quincy, a statue was erected on the promontory known as "Le Chatelard", and named Notre-Dame- des-Vignes.
To make themselves worthy of the protection they implored, the inhabitants made a solemn pledge to respect the sacred rest of Sundays and to banish blasphemy from their lips and their homes.
They needed a rallying sign. A winegrower proposed a banner. Immediately 500 subscriptions enabled the acquisition of "La bannière des vignerons", rich and beautiful as desired. On a green velvet background, edged with gold bangs, appears on one side "Notre-Dame de Lourdes, priez pour nous" (Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us) and on the reverse the image of "Saint-François-de-Sales", around which, in gold letters, are displayed the names of "Ballaison, Douvaine, Loisin, Massongy".
The inauguration took place on September 19, 1875, in the presence of Mgr Gros, former bishop of Maurienne, replacing the bishop of Annecy.
Since then, the pilgrimage has taken place every year, thanks to the kindness of the Turrettini family, who own the site. Until 1995, the procession started from the church in the main town and climbed towards Boisy, to the sound of brass bands and the singing of hymns. For some years now, the procession has started from the "Pierre à Martin". Mass is held at the foot of the statue.
In 1997, it was decided to illuminate the statue for part of the night, hence the installation of spotlights. In this way, everyone can approach the statue in remembrance.
To make themselves worthy of the protection they implored, the inhabitants made a solemn pledge to respect the sacred rest of Sundays and to banish blasphemy from their lips and their homes.
They needed a rallying sign. A winegrower proposed a banner. Immediately 500 subscriptions enabled the acquisition of "La bannière des vignerons", rich and beautiful as desired. On a green velvet background, edged with gold bangs, appears on one side "Notre-Dame de Lourdes, priez pour nous" (Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us) and on the reverse the image of "Saint-François-de-Sales", around which, in gold letters, are displayed the names of "Ballaison, Douvaine, Loisin, Massongy".
The inauguration took place on September 19, 1875, in the presence of Mgr Gros, former bishop of Maurienne, replacing the bishop of Annecy.
Since then, the pilgrimage has taken place every year, thanks to the kindness of the Turrettini family, who own the site. Until 1995, the procession started from the church in the main town and climbed towards Boisy, to the sound of brass bands and the singing of hymns. For some years now, the procession has started from the "Pierre à Martin". Mass is held at the foot of the statue.
In 1997, it was decided to illuminate the statue for part of the night, hence the installation of spotlights. In this way, everyone can approach the statue in remembrance.
