Orcival

Orcival nestles in the folds of the valley of the river Sioulet, on the route du Guéry in the Auvergne region of central France. It is the site of one of the most magestic of the Vierges Noires of France.

The black madonna Notre Dame d'Orcival, is also known as N.D. de la Déliverance ans as N.D. des Fers since she is renowned for releasing captives, as is the black madonna at Mauriac. The rusted iron chains discarded by released captives as votive offerings still hang beside the entrance.

Notre Dame d'Orcival is also invoked when fevers strike.

After she was rehoused in the basilica which was built in her honour she returned miraculously to the original chapel known as "le tombeau" where she is said to have been discovered. Thus the pilgrimage was initiated, which takes place each year on the evening preceding the day of the Ascension.

Close by are les roches Tuilière and Sanadoire and two logan stones.

Logan stones are massive rocking stones, generally atop a rocky tor or outcrop. Some notable examples such as those at Roughtor and Helman Tor in Cornwall, England, have depressions sculpted in them where a person may sit.

Many legends surround logans, which by their very nature are always situated at places of great power.