The original Black Madonna of Cusset was found in the 10th century next to a spring of the local Benedictine nunnery that had been founded in 882…

Legend states that the original Black Madonna was brought to France from the Holy Land by a Lord of Bourbon. Somehow she came into the possession of King Louis IX…

The original church in the mountain hamlet of Vassivière stood until the 13th century and housed the predecessor of this Black Virgin.