Situated at the junction of the two rivers that have carved out the Langrois spur, the hill of Les Fourches is dominated by a mound topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary. The name of the hill is a reminder of the gibbets that could be seen here until the French Revolution. The top of this place of execution was then devoid of trees. The sad and gloomy silhouettes of the "forks" could be seen for miles around and played an exemplary role... Today, this hill has become a place of religious devotion. It houses a chapel whose dome supports a colossal statue of the Virgin, cast in the north of the department, at Sommevoire. The neo-Gothic chapel was built by the people of Langrois in 1873, in thanksgiving to Mary. In doing so, they honoured a vow they had made during the 1870 war to build the church if the town escaped the Prussian invasion. This is why it is dedicated to Notre-Dame de la Délivrance. The story goes that on 16 November 1870, Prussian detachments arrived near Langres, occupying the surrounding villages of Champigny, Peigney, Jorquenay and Hûmes. Soldiers and residents prepared for a possible siege, and several cannon shots were fired from the ramparts. But the next day, the enemy withdrew. The same thing happened on 16 December and 16 January. Then the war ended, without Langres suffering any siege or destruction. For the local population, the Virgin's protection was obvious and their wish was granted. The chapel was built to plans by the architect Girard. Octagonal in plan and 18 metres high, it is decorated with a stained-glass window depicting the town of Langres' vow to the Virgin. The figures include a bishop, a priest and a male and female couple. The blessing and inauguration took place on 25 May, during a grandiose ceremony attended by some 25,000 people, including civil and military authorities. Since then, every time 24 May falls on a Sunday, a major religious celebration has been organised. On 20 May 1901, a large calvary was placed in the vicinity of the chapel. In the 1950s, at the request of Canon Turlure, plaques bearing the names of local soldiers who died in the wars of 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 were installed here.
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Délivrance de Langres
