On January 17th 1871, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Virgin Mary appeared in the sky of Pontmain to four children. She gave a message of prayer and hope.
On February 2nd 1872, the Bishop of Laval, Monsignor Wicart, acknowledged the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Pontmain to be genuine.

parvis de la basilique

29 May 1872
After the death of Father Michel Guérin, Monsignor Wicart, Bishop of Laval, commissions the Missionaries of the Oblats of Mary Immaculate to the construction of a Sanctuary.

15 october 1900
Consecration of the Sanctuary by Monsignor Geay

21 February 1905
Pope Pius X elevates the status of the Sanctuary to that off a Basilica

24 juillet 1934
Coronation of the Virgin Mary (the work of Vallet)