Expiatory Monument

The expiatory monument erected by Marie de Rais at the site of her father's execution. "...miraculous powers were ascribed to the Virgin in the niche, she became known as the 'Bonne Vierge de Crée-Lait,' 'the Milk-Giver'; and until the Reign of Terror mothers and nurses flocked to the spot to pray her for an abundance of milk..." (E.A.Vizetelly)
"Here again is a strong suggestion that he was regarded as the Incarnate God of fertility". (Margaret Murray)

It would certainly be a strange development if the populace regarded him as a child murderer.

Biesse

Gilles de Rais was executed at a meadow called Biesse, on an island in the Loire which is now the Boulevard des Martyrs Nantais de la Résistance (lower right on the map. The Château Ducal is labelled 2.)