La Salette Shrine

I feel so much joy just stepping into the grounds of la salette. It’s very peaceful, and the lights hung up during the Christmas time are just beautiful! The nativity sets are breathtaking, and the spirit of God surrounds you ever step you walk. If you are Christian, make sure you come here! I try to come once a year, for the peace and joy I feel whilst walking around the rosary pond, steps to heaven and watching delightful child on the awesome Ferris wheel. Even if you are not Christian, you are welcome to visit, because this is a place for peace and love– especially during these unsettling times.

Long wait to get into the lot. I expected that. A free event for families is going to be a madhouse. Apathetic people directing traffic once in the lot. Again, not surprised. Lousy work for probably lousy pay.
The lights are quite nice. I do think they look better from a distance.
Please, retire that poor, depressed looking donkey. Looking at that poor thing really killed my mood. There is no reason to use animals in this spectacle.
I think if you are looking for mildly carnival-​like atmosphere or really care about the religious aspect of it, you will enjoy it. The crèche display was pretty cool, but everything else was a bit tacky, IMO. Once was definitely enough for us.

How can anyone be so mean as to berate La Salette Shrine? The lights are just ok? Give me a break! The place is spectacular, like no where else you can find anywhere. It is free so yes at Christmas time it will be busy and you will have lines and you will have to wait. But the meaning behind it and just the feeling of walking around those lighted sacred grounds makes you feel like a kid again. I know the lines are long but you have to experience La Salette at least once in your lifetime.

We went on a Sat night in December. Traffic getting into the shrine was insane. Took us an hour to get into the parking lot. Once inside, there were lines for everything — -the hot chocolate, the carousel, the bathrooms.
Lights were ok, but certainly not worth the hour drive, plus the hour of traffic to get into the parking lot.
It was a very mild weather night, so perhaps that explains the long lines, but we won’t do this again.
Too crowded to experience the spiritual side of things and two crowded to enjoy the seasonal aspect of things.

This place is epic. The typical way to do this is to go see the Advent and Christmas lights and freeze your butt off. Hot chocolate afterwards.
We go during the August recess, which is a LOT less crowded and you can read signs better.
There are four main attractions: a re-​enactment mountain climb of the Apparition, a recreation of the holy steps in Rome, a Via Crucis, and a really cool rosary pond with the 15 (that’s fifteen, not twenty) mysteries, and the typical post-​V2 liberal chapel to round it off.
I’m sure the vocations are in crisis with this liberal order, but the orthodox little kids who freeze their butts off every December will inherit the earth.

Well, it is a National Marian Shrine, so although the Christmas Lights look to be very nice, that is not really what the place is all about.
CANDLE SHRINE: 5 STARS
Special place. Go in there.
GIFT SHOP: 5 STARS
The biggest of its kind I have ever seen.
LAYOUT: 3 STARS
One pulls up into a vast parking lot. The exterior Christmas light display grounds are to the far right. The Church is on the far left, The Candle Shrine in the middle, and the Welcome Center /​Gift Shop on the near right.
It is not all that clear where one is supposed to start. Now this is not Disneyland, or a stop on the Freedom Trail, but I would humbly suggest that ones entrance should be more linear and directed, so as to provide a frame of reference.
Some people may be here because they know what a Marian Apparition is, like at Fatima (witnessed by 70,000 people), and are enthused to be at such a place. Others during the Holidays may just be there for the Christmas Lights. Others throughout the year may just be curious tourists.
For all these sets of visitors I would humbly suggest that one’s visit starts with a quick overview of Marian Apparitions like at Lourdes and Guadalupe, and then one should be informed that this site commemorates an event that took place in France in 1846.
This information is available in pamphlets here and there in the complex, and at a minimum such pamphlets should be where one first enters. Better still would be some kind of displays.
The photo I posted of the Statue of the Apparation is way over at the Church, and there were no plaques describing what it was about. I knew because I looked it up before I came. I think it would be more effective if it were one of the first things one gazed upon.

Love it here, their Christmas light display is STUNNING!
Been here a few times for the holidays and they have such beautiful light display, There is so much to see would suggest picking a night that isn’t too cold so you can enjoy the views. Also, took my puppy who loved exploring as well, just couldn’t go into the inside displays.
Overall, would definitely recommend checking it out for the holidays.

A co-​worker suggested stopping by this place during the holidays to view the lights. My wife was in town so we decided to stop by and see them and it was amazing!!! The amount of lights and fixtures they have setup is beyond belief. They have something for everyone to see, whether your 1 or 101, you’ll love to go through the grounds and take your time to see everything.
Unfortunately, we got there 15 mins prior to closing time and had to run through the grounds, but still saw most everything. Parking isn’t easy, but there is ample parking in several areas.
It’s a good free thing to do with the family and the even had a Star of David, the Crescent and a few other religious symbols on the grounds.

Great considering it’s free. The lights are the same every year. I would rather go maybe every three years. I would rather pay a little to get in and have the lights be more impressive.

Every Christmas season there are a few places we like to visit to get into the spirit and to stay mindful of why we are celebrating this special day. La Salette Shrine is at the top of our list and it have become a special stop for my family and I.
What we enjoy the most about this shrine is the fact that they do such a great job of decorating for Christmas and they don’t charge for entry. A few of the other stops we make during Christmas charge to see the decorations which is annoying because they are usually overpriced.
The lights here are in incredible, but our favorite part are all the nativity scenes they have on display. We love looking at the way each nation represents their nativity, and of course I love seeing the ones from Portugal.
Overall, this is a great seasonal stop, but it is also a great place to visit during the year if you are hoping to strengthen your spirituality.

My family and I have been coming here since I was a child. I am more spiritual than religious. Regardless, this place is awesome! Nice family outing during the Christmas season. Beautiful xmas lights and lots of them. Cafeteria is onsite, can buy hot cider or hot chocolate. They also have a few outdoor fire pits where you can roast some marshmallows and make smores. Overall, there really is nothing not to like here. Very cool place!!! Enjoy and peace.

I have to give La Salette Shrine five stars for generously sharing this beauty of lights with everyone of all faiths year after year. I love taking it all in while sipping the hot chocolate or apple cider that they sell. Inside, they have a gift shop that doesn’t interest me but has a lot to offer those looking for spiritual gifts. There is also a room with multiple nativity sets from around the world. I always like to check that out even if it doesn’t change year to year. A s’mores station was something new. I think you have to bring your own supplies from home and they supply the fire. For those with children, I suggest checking out the carousel outside. It’s a bit tucked away.
Parking can be a bit chaotic and even confusing. Going toward the later part of the evening will mean less crowding but be warned that they close promptly at 9. They mean business about that, and they do shut those lights off like clock work.

I’ve been hesitating to write this review for quite sometime. Mainly because I have such a overwhelming love for this place. You could say it’s borderline biased.
My family and I have been going to this shrine every year (and then some) for as long as I can remember. Even before it’s grand renovation.
The grounds are very large and are perfect for a nice stroll. During the Christmas season, the shrine is covered in twinkling lights, excited children, bundled up families, relaxing hay rides, carnival treats, and your choice of piping hot cider or chocolate. There is also a gift shoppe, bistro and cafeteria that one can warm up and venture in.
I particularly love walking along the rosary pond and the confessional that overlooks it. The holy stairs is a beautiful spot to pray in as well. Pleasantly, all the brothers, sisters and priests of the shrine are very warm and welcoming. I feel right at home in their presence.
If I could give this shrine 10 stars I would. But then again, I could be just overly zealous of this shrine.

I’m more spiritual, than religious, but it was nice to walk around and see the lights. Had some hot cider and cocoa. It was so cold! I liked the international nativities and the candle room.

Absolutely beautiful place for Christmas Nighttime Walks :) Going here after Thanksgiving has been a family tradition since I can remember. Its gorgeous, lights are everywhere, plenty of Christmas trees and huge pictures with Biblical meaning, reminding us of the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Plenty of lights to guide you through the dark, and stands waiting to pour you a cup of hot chocolate & hot apple cider :) Plus a great gift shop to bring some Christmas memories home. And they play Christmas music throughout. This place is truly spectacular!!! Tis the season: D

Lovely place that sells awsome Hot chocolate!
I came here for 2 occasions; 1^st time for a Vietnamese pilgrimage back in July 24^th, 2^nd time for the Christmas Holiday Lighting!
For the Pilgrimage I thought it was pretty cool, wearing 6 inch heels to greet people into was a bit painful after 2 hours but still lots of fun!
I loved the pond and walkway and paths and the signs for each letter of the alphabet.
The souviner store was nice ance bright and roomy.
For the lighting I believe the main inside buildings were closed but the park and the pond area was open. It was Christmas night I believe that I went up with a group of friends from my church and the lights were shut off at exactly 9 o’clock (too bad we didn’t take their speaker warning as serious); in the middle of taking the last picture with my mom the lights were shut off. Almost got that picture! The hotchocolate and kettle sugar popcorn was nice for the ride home.
La Salette is a nice peaceful place in a quiet area, lots of parking in 3 different lots and has a candle room, the outdoor mass area, the steps for praying the statues, the gift shop, the snack shop and the indoor mass area was all very lovely, I can’t wait to come back for this year’s pilgrimage in July!

Growing up in the greater Boston area i never knew about La Salette until my move to the greater Providence area. I almost feel a little cheated. This one stop Christmas light shop (and religious shrine) definitely beats driving through the Ritzy neighborhoods looking at scattered houses covered in lights in the back of my parent’s Buick Regal.
I’m the first to admit that I’m more spiritual than religious (lets hope my very catholic grandmother isn’t reading this or I’ll have to do the Rosary…) but La Salette is beautiful and can charm even a nonbeliever. The lights, the nativity scene, and the natural beauty of the La Salette campus you can’t go wrong here. I think it’s great they actually incorporate stories in cartoonesque form so kids can understand how Christmas came about and that it’s more than harassing their parents for an iPad.
The only reason this review is lacking a star is because I agree with Jason N. I think having a tractor pull is not only dangerous but a little obnoxious. The diesel smell that lingers as it passes isn’t my favorite. Some parts of the property are a little uneven which gives it the perfect opportunity for a child or adult to trip, fall, and end up under the tractor.
I will say the hot chocolate is out of this world! If you go definitely indulge yourself in a cup! You will most definitely not be disappointed!

I gave it 5 stars because I have never been anywhere like it. Growing up in Attleboro meant La Salette and hot cocoa every Christmas season.
GREAT for FREEE date! A whole lotta lights, religious statues, and people walking around. It is cheery and beautiful.
Lasalette is to Attleboro what The Waterfire is to Providence.

This review is for the shrine and the grounds around the shrine. It’s not for the Christmas Festival of Lights or the retreat center. A lot of the negative reviews here are for the Christmas Festival of Lights which gets very crowded.
I didn’t go into the shrine myself because there was a mass going on (check the schedule before going).
There’s some beautiful walkways to walk around, some beautiful statues and buildings too. But I don’t think it’s huge. You can spend at least an hour there.
They had a great gift shop.
The bistro was closed (check the schedule). I guess the cafeteria is for groups only. They’re currently having fish fries on Friday (during Lent).
Something I didn’t like was that they play music outdoors. It’s a touchy-​feely kind of emotional music. It’s not that it bothered me. I just like to experience places in my own way.
It might be a good idea to check their calendar of events before visiting.

This is one of those classic Rhode Islander/​Southestern Masshole things to do in the Christmas season. I’m not quite sure how I escaped going, especially after thirteen years of Catholic school. Alas, I am nearly thirty, and I went to check out the lights at La Salette for the first time last night.
Anywhoo, it’s free — which is great for families. What does it look like, though? The grounds are basically strung with lights and there are little scenes lit up all over the place: lit up Christmas around the world, lit up nativity scenes, lit up snowflakes, lit up trees, lit up wise men, lit up sweet baby Jesus… and the list goes on. There are quite a large number of lights (their electric bill must be ridiculous), but to me, they felt out-​dated and tired. Luckily, since I am adult, I could handle the emotionally crushing disappointment. I think if I were a five-​year old and I was seeing it for the first time, I possibly would enjoy it. But it’s just SO COLD I don’t know how the little ones don’t turn into kidsicles after five minutes.
The gift shop is open so you can buy all your holiday gift-​giving staples like Biblical Charades. Also, their candle devotion room is open and you can dedicate and light your own candle for $ 4. They have kettle corn, hot cider, and hot chocolate for sale — you have the option of purchasing your beverage in a Styrofoam cup or a fancy, circus-​style light-​up mug. The hot chocolate was DELICIOUS — something about walking around in the cold that makes Swiss Miss taste so good.
Outside of the spectacle and tradition of the lights, the grounds are beautiful and well kept as far as I could tell as I scuttled through them in the below freezing temperature. They have a nice variety of outdoor areas with the mysteries, the stations, a giant rosary, a recreation of Jesus’ tomb, and a shrine to the Lady of La Salette. The new church structure is beautifully modern. I can imagine if I were a practicing, believing Catholic, this would be a wonderful place to pray and meditate in the warmer weather or come for mass on a Sunday or holy day.