Dives-sur-Mer

Gilbert de Venables in Dives-sur-Mer… When legend meets history

From its earliest origins, the history of Dives-sur-Mer has been closely linked to the sea. Its church, Notre Dame de Dives, is contemporary with the adventures of our conquering knight, Gilbert, whose name appears on the list of companions of William of Normandy. Inside, one discovers a magnificent stained-glass window illustrating a legend surely told to our knight in his time…

“On the sixth day of August in the year 1001, fishermen from Dives hauled in a statue of Christ in their nets. Surprised by this providential stroke of luck, these robust men fell to their knees to venerate the sacred object. Only one man from the crew refrained from joining in the devout displays of his companions and struck Christ’s knee with an axe, severing it cleanly, and miraculously, bright red blood flowed from it. Divine intervention was evident, and the unbeliever was converted. This Christ had been caught without a cross, and no craftsman was able to replace it. It was only three years later, under similar circumstances to the fishing of the Christ, that a cross was found at sea by fishermen from Cabourg. This cross fit the miraculous Christ perfectly. Christ and the cross were placed in the ancient chapel of the village of Dives, and from then on, the pilgrimage was established.” » (1)

The Association for the Preservation of the Church of Dives-sur-Mer (ASED (2)) has staged a display where the legendary boat is placed beneath the stained-glass window of Christ the Savior. This beautiful creation is the initiative of the association’s members in partnership with CAPAC (3), and Eliane, in particular, works to bring all the witnesses of the past back to life and into the present. The CCGV is pleased to share this initiative and this beautiful legend with all the Venetian families around the world.

1) Vincent Carpentier: The Church of Dives-sur-Mer

2) ASED: Association for the Preservation of the Church of Dives. https://saintsauveurdelacotefleurie.fr/

3) CAPAC: Committee of Friends of Heritage & Coastal Activities: https://www.capac-voiletraditionnelle.fr/

The Church of Notre Dame de Dives:

Over the years, the ancient chapel proved too small. A Romanesque-style building was constructed thanks to donations from William the Conqueror. Some parts of the 11th-century structure are still visible: the four pillars of the choir, an arch, and a vault. The church was enlarged in the 14th century in the Rayonnant Gothic style. During the Wars of Religion, the Christ figure disappeared, and the pilgrimage ended. https://www.dives-sur-mer.fr/