A living memory
A sanctuary without walls
The Saint John Eudes Shrine takes the form of a route connecting places of memory in Normandy, within the dioceses of Séez and Bayeux-Lisieux. These stops invite visitors to discover the saint’s roots, prayer life, and mission.
The Eudists and the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd are carrying this initiative forward together, in partnership with local churches. The project brings together pilgrimage, formation, hospitality, and service to human dignity. It is intended for the Eudist family and anyone wishing to discover this legacy.
Places of memory
Four stops through the story
These sites are landmarks along the spiritual route. The order below is a suggested itinerary for discovery; please plan a pilgrimage with the welcome team.
Ri and Les Tourailles
Ri is the birthplace of John Eudes, born on November 14, 1601. The Marian shrine at Les Tourailles is connected with his parents’ prayer and the memory of his birth.
Discover Notre-Dame de Recouvrance ↗Douvres-la-Délivrande
The Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Délivrande recalls Mary’s place in the life of John Eudes. He came here with his first companions before founding the Congregation of Jesus and Mary on March 25, 1643.
Caen · Vieille Mission and Abbaye aux Dames
At 30 rue Jean-Eudes, Maison Saint Jean Eudes preserves the memory of the first seminary and the place where the founder lived, wrote, and prayed. The Church of the Holy Trinity at the Abbaye aux Dames was chosen for the shrine’s launch, announced for April 19, 2026.
Cormelles-le-Royal
At the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, the chapel houses the relic shrine of Saint John Eudes. The congregation’s museum offers a deeper look at the memory of this spiritual family and its mission.
Stop 2 · Douvres-la-Délivrande
The Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Délivrande
This photograph shows the Marian basilica in Douvres-la-Délivrande, a pilgrimage site and a stop on the route dedicated to Saint John Eudes.
John Eudes came here with his first companions before founding the Congregation of Jesus and Mary on March 25, 1643.
Stop 3 · Caen
Maison Saint Jean Eudes · Vieille Mission
At 30 rue Jean-Eudes, this house was home to the first Eudist seminary in Caen. John Eudes lived, prayed, and wrote here; he died here on August 19, 1680.
Vieille Mission remains an essential landmark in his story and in the shrine’s memorial route.
Caen · Abbaye aux Dames
The Church of the Holy Trinity
The abbey church of the Holy Trinity was chosen for the launch celebration of the Saint John Eudes Shrine, announced for April 19, 2026.
Read the diocesan announcement ↗Prayer and service
Living the heart of Eudist spirituality
The shrine connects the discovery of these places with Christian life: becoming aware of one’s baptism, contemplating the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, welcoming mercy, and putting it into practice through service to others.
The legacy of John Eudes brings together proclaiming the Gospel, forming priests, and caring for people in difficulty. The partnership with the Good Shepherd Sisters continues this mission by defending human dignity and accompanying vulnerable people.
A pilgrimage you can experience remotely
Enter the virtual shrine
The virtual shrine will extend the pilgrimage in Normandy. From home or during an in-person visit, people will be able to discover these places of memory, learn their history, and take time to pray. Images, stories, and spiritual resources will form a route to experience at one’s own pace.
The first sites under consideration include Ri, Les Tourailles, Maison Saint Jean Eudes, the churches of Caen, Cormelles-le-Royal, and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Délivrande. The selection will be finalized with the local team.
A different view of the sites
Drone photography
Aerial images will show the buildings in their surroundings and reveal the landscapes around Eudist sites. They will complement interior and exterior photographs to offer an overview of the route.
Explore and contemplate
360-degree views
Immersive panoramas will invite visitors to look around, observe the architecture, and pause over the details of each site. An initial series of ten 360-degree panoramas is planned for the sites selected with the Caen team.
Pray along the route
Location-based prayers
Prayers and meditations will be linked to the sites shown on a map. By selecting a stop, pilgrims will be able to access a spiritual resource connected with that place, its history, or the mission of Saint John Eudes.
Listen to living memory
Location-based testimonies
Testimonies connected with the different stops will share the voices of people who live and pass on this legacy. They will show how Eudist spirituality continues to nourish prayer, community life, and service to others.
A journey guided by place
Each stop on the route will include a historical and spiritual introduction, images, and resources for further discovery. Prayers and testimonies will be linked to the locations, making them available remotely while exploring the map as well as during a pilgrimage in Normandy.
Conferences, formation materials, and shrine activities will gradually enrich this experience. The Caen team will coordinate the project and keep local information up to date.
Visit and discover
Plan your visit
For hospitality, visits, and times of prayer, please check arrangements before travelling. Each site has its own access arrangements.
Maison Saint Jean Eudes
30, rue Jean-EudesCaen · Normandie · France
A key location identified in the project presentation.
Notre-Dame de Charité du Bon Pasteur
6, rue du Champ de Foire14123 Cormelles-le-Royal · FranceView the overview and latest news ↗
Further reading
Le Mémorial follows the development of the mission and the shrine. The February 2026 issue is available on the diocesan website.
Read Le Mémorial · February 2026 · PDF ↗Illustrations: shrine presentation materials and the Le Mémorial bulletin. Information checked on October 7, 2026, with the Diocese of Bayeux-Lisieux and Eudist family websites.