Statue de Notre-Dame-Des-Neiges

The Notre-Dame-des-Neiges statue is a small but strikingly placed religious monument in the commune of Gavarnie-Gèdre, in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of southern France. The figure of the Virgin and Child stands on the rocky ridge of Turon de Holle, at the entrance to the Espécières valley, at an altitude of 1,519 metres, commanding views over the Gavarnie valley and the Vignemale massif.

Where exactly is the statue located?

The site sits above the village of Gavarnie, on a rocky shoulder that overlooks the valley below. It is reached by a marked walking trail, sometimes referred to locally as the "belvédère de Notre-Dame des Neiges," which is also often combined with a visit to the nearby Cascade de Holle waterfall. The walk requires a reasonable level of fitness but is not a high-mountain route — it is a popular half-day outing for visitors based in Gavarnie.

How did the monument come to be built?

The project began in 1925, when a public fundraising campaign was launched to finance a religious monument on this site. Two years later, in 1927, the finished statue was carried up to the ridge in pieces, a task undertaken by fifty local volunteers since the terrain ruled out any mechanical transport. The sculpture itself is the work of Firmin Michelet, a sculptor from nearby Tarbes. It was placed atop a small chapel-oratory designed by Bertrand-Gabriel Andral, an architect responsible for historic monuments in Pau at the time. The completed chapel and statue were formally inaugurated on 11 August 1927.

What do the chapel and statue look like?

The chapel rests on a base roughly 7 by 7 metres, while the structure itself — a compact, square oratory — measures about 4 by 4 metres and stands roughly 4 metres tall. Set on this base is the figure of Mary, shown standing, her face turned upward toward the Christ Child held in her raised arms. She wears a tunic gathered at the waist by a belt and a long veil that falls across her hands. The modest scale of the chapel contrasts with the monumental presence of the statue itself, visible from a distance against the surrounding rock.

Why visit this spot?

Beyond its religious and historical significance, the site functions above all as a viewpoint. From the terrace beside the chapel, visitors look out over the Gavarnie valley toward the distant peaks of the Vignemale massif, one of the highest in this part of the Pyrenees. It is a favourite short excursion for travellers staying in Gavarnie before or after tackling the famous rock amphitheatre nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who sculpted the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges statue? The statue was created by Firmin Michelet, a sculptor from Tarbes, in the 1920s.

When was the monument built? Fundraising began in 1925, and the finished statue and chapel were inaugurated on 11 August 1927.

How do you get to the statue? It stands at 1,519 metres on the Turon de Holle ridge above Gavarnie, reached via a marked footpath sometimes combined with the route to the Cascade de Holle waterfall.

What views does the site offer? From the terrace next to the chapel, visitors can see across the Gavarnie valley toward the Vignemale massif.