The Little Bushes (Les Buissonnets)
About The Little Bushes (Les Buissonnets)
Les Buissonnets is the childhood home where Saint Thérèse of Lisieux lived from age 4 to 15, between 1877 and 1888. The 19th-century bourgeois house preserves original furniture and personal belongings of the Martin family, including Thérèse's bedroom with her childhood toys. On May 13, 1883, young Thérèse experienced what she described as healing by the Virgin Mary's smile in this house. The garden features a statue commemorating the moment in 1887 when she asked her father for permission to enter the Carmel convent. Free audio guides in 8 languages accompany the 30-minute self-guided tour. The Oblate sisters welcome visitors daily. Hours vary seasonally: April-September 10:00-18:00, reduced hours in winter. Closed mid-November to mid-December and Sunday mornings year-round. Located 20 minutes on foot from Lisieux center.
Interesting Facts
The Martin family is unique in Catholic history: Thérèse, her father Louis, and her mother Zélie are all canonized saints, making Les Buissonnets the childhood home of one saint and the residence of two others. Louis and Zélie were canonized together in 2015, becoming the first married couple in modern history to be declared saints as a pair.
The name "Les Buissonnets" means "The Little Bushes" in French, referring to the hedges and shrubs that surrounded the property when the Martin family moved there. The house sits on what was then called "Chemin du Paradis" (Path of Paradise), a name locals still use today.
The house became a pilgrimage destination as early as 1911, just 14 years after Thérèse's death, and was purchased by the pilgrimage organization in 1922. Since 1931, it has been cared for by the Oblates of Saint Thérèse, a religious community specifically founded to maintain and share Thérèse's spiritual legacy.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
22 Chemin des Buissonnets, 14100 Lisieux, France
Day Routes
Explore all day routesThese carefully curated day itineraries include this attraction and show you exactly how to plan your visit, including transport, timing, and what else to see nearby.
Want to visit this attraction? These routes show you how to get here and what to combine it with.
