Vienne - Notre Dame de Pipet

The oppidum of the Celtic Alobroges became a Roman colony about 47 BC under Julius Caesar, but the Allobroges managed to expel the Romans. The exiles moved north and founded the colony of Lugdunum (today's Lyon). During the early Empire, Vienna regained all its former privileges as a Roman colony. The city flourished and became the second capital of southern Gaul during the Roman Empire.

The first Christians lived in Vienne around 100 AD. In the 3rd century, the city became a bishopric. After the death of the childless last Burgundian king Rudolf III. Vienne fell in 1032 to the German king Conrad II and thus to the Holy Roman Empire. In the 12th century, Vienne became the capital of the Dauphiné. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Vienne experienced an economic boom, numerous houses were built in the half-timbered style of the time, and the cathedral was completed. During the Wars of Religion, the city was fought over and frequently looted.

At the top of "Mount Pipet" overlooking Vienne was a sacred area with temples. The Kings of Burgundy converted the site into a fortress, which was donated to the Church of Vienne in 1023.

In 1633, Cardinal Richelieu ordered the destruction of all the fortresses in the Dauphiné by decree. In the 19th century, after the French Revolution, this hill was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In 1858 the tower with the statue was built and in 1873 the construction of a chapel in honor of Our Lady of La Salette was completed. This includes, of course, a small alter, the Marian apparition of 1846.