Yet instead of dying, the tree started to sprout new leaves and acorns in abundance.
The trees miraculous survival drew the attention of the local Abbot Du Detroit and father Du Cerceau.
So they built a shrine to the Virgin Mary directly into the hollow of the tree.
Later another small chapel and a stair case climbing the outside of the tree was added.
Photo credit
Things almost took a very bad turn for the tree during the French revolution.
A crowd descended upon the village, intent on burning the tree to the ground.
A quick thinking local quickly renamed the oak the “temple of reason” sparing it a fiery fate.
Today the common oak is showing signs of age and stress.
