Alençon The Birthplace of Saint Thérèse

Louis Martin, a watchmaker, and Zélie Guérin, a maker of Alençon lace, were married in the church of Notre-Dame in Alençon at midnight on July 13, 1858. Nine children were born to them; four died young, and the five daughters who lived all entered religious life. The youngest, Thérèse, was born on January 2, 1873, in the house on the rue Saint-Blaise.

Zélie died in that house in August 1877, and Louis took the girls to Lisieux. Thérèse had been baptized in Notre-Dame, whose flamboyant porch faces the street. Louis and Zélie were canonized in 2015, the first married couple canonized together.

Further reading: Lisieux: A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Town of Saint Thérèse.

• The house of Saint ThérèseOn the rue Saint-Blaise, with the room where she was born and the chapel built beside it.
• The basilica of Notre-DameWhere her parents were married and she was baptized.

• July 12, kept in the Discalced Carmelite calendar and at Lisieux and AlençonFeast of Saints Louis and Zélie Martin
• October 1Feast of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

• Saints Louis and Zélie MartinParents of Saint Thérèse, the first married couple canonized together
• Saint Thérèse of LisieuxCarmelite and Doctor of the Church

• Via RosarumThe Way of Roses, five daysDay II, Paris to Alençon · Day III, Alençon to Lisieux, by Bayeux

About two hours by train from Paris.

• MontligeonThe Shrine of Our Lady of Montligeon, about 21 miles as the crow flies
• Le MansThe Cathedral of Saint-Julien, about 30 miles as the crow flies
• SolesmesThe Abbey of Saint-Pierre of Solesmes, about 44 miles as the crow flies
• LisieuxThe Shrine of Saint Thérèse, about 50 miles as the crow flies