Mary hears and saves King Charles V of France, who then built a chapel in thanksgiving

During a hunt, King of France Charles V (1338-1380) lost his way in the vast forest of Arthies near Paris. After wandering for many hours, overwhelmed by fatigue and despair, the king stopped to pray to God, and begged the Mother of the Savior to come to his help.

Feeling comforted by his ardent prayer, he set off again, and soon after spotted the slender white bell tower of the Saint-Martin-la-Garenne church!

Convinced that the Virgin had heard him and granted his request, in an act of devout thanksgiving, the king pledged to build a chapel on the spot where his ordeal had ended, and to dedicate it to Our Lady Desirée (Much Desired). An act preserved in the archives of the castle of La Roche-Guyon and dated Friday, January 2, 1376, formally designates King Charles V as one of its founders.

M. Gatin

A village - Saint-Martin-de-la-Garenne

About Charles V the Wise (January 21, 1338 - September 16, 1380)