how many visit lourdes

Your guide to visiting Lourdes: Everything you need to know

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Planning a holiday can be time consuming and at times confusing. I have created this guide about Lourdes to help you prepare for your trip to this historic town. My first visit to Lourdes was back in 2013 when I came to the Pyrenees on a cycling holiday. I am now lucky to call this part of France home and Lourdes is somewhere I visit on a weekly basis to shop or grab a coffee. Whether you are coming on a pilgrimage to visit the famous grotto, for health purposes, or to enjoy the stunning mountains this guide will help you prepare for your visit.

Lourdes is located in the southwest of France in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. It is one of the most important religious sites in the world and over 5 million pilgrims visit each year. The main tourist season runs from Easter to October and July and August are the busiest months. Over the winter months, many hotels, and businesses close, and while it is still possible to visit Lourdes at this time of the year, your accommodation choices will be reduced.

While most visitors to Lourdes are coming as pilgrims to experience the Sanctuary of our Lady of Lourdes, it is also a great base for other activities in the Pyrenees . There is a range of activities within the town itself, but it is also a great base for those who wish to explore the Pyrenees mountains and everything they have to offer. Most of the major attractions within the Pyrenees National Park are within a 1-hour drive of Lourdes. There are also options to catch a bus to some destinations in the park.

How to get to Lourdes

Lourdes is easily accessible by road, rail, and air giving you plenty of options to get here. I would advise booking well in advance as trains and planes do sell out given the popularity of Lourdes as a tourism destination. On more than one occasion our plans for a weekend away from Lourdes have been stopped due to a lack of availability on the trains.

If you are planning to drive to Lourdes you will most likely arrive via the A64 which is the main Autoroute that runs from Toulouse to Bayonne. Lourdes itself is located 18km south of the A64 and is nice and easy to get to and the turnoff is well signposted. The driving distance from Toulouse airport is 180km, from Bordeaux airport 255km, and from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport 855km as a guide.

If you plan to hire a car while you are visiting Lourdes you can do so at the Lourdes Airport or at the train station in town. I generally hire cars from the airport as not all rental car companies operate from the station. As a tip also, we find that car hire from Toulouse airport can be significantly cheaper than Lourdes. While this option is not feasible for everyone it is something to keep in mind.

The SNCF train station in Lourdes is located a short walk from the city centre and there are plenty of trains on a daily basis in both directions. From Lourdes, you can catch direct trains to Bordeaux, Toulouse, and Paris with stops at smaller towns along the way on TGV, Intercite, and TER services. We have a separate guide to the French rail network if you would like more information about trains in France.

For direct travel to and from Paris, you can choose either the high-speed TGV service via Bordeaux to Paris Montparnasse station or the overnight service via Toulouse to Paris Austerlitz station. There are 4 TGV services a day with travel times of 4 hours 50 minutes and 1 overnight service that takes 10 hours. I have used both services and would recommend either, it really depends on what suits your travel plans best.

Lourdes has an airport that is located 17km to the north of the city that is serviced by bus or taxi if you do not have a car. There are two main airlines operating regular passenger service from the airport, Volotea, and Ryanair. Volotea offers daily flights to Paris Orly airport and twice weekly flights to Naples, Venice, Palermo, Rome, and Catania. Ryanair offers flights to London Stanstead, Dublin, Milan, Malta, and Rome. Schedules vary based on the season so double-check with the airlines. The major car rental companies operate from the airport.

Pau airport is located 54km from Lourdes and offers daily flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle on Air France and Paris Orly on Transavia. There are no direct shuttle or bus services from Pau Airport to Lourdes. You can catch a bus from the airport into Pau and from there catch a train to Lourdes. The major car rental companies are located at the airport if you wish to rent a car.

The closest major international airport to Lourdes is Toulouse Blagnac, a distance of 180km by car. You can catch a train from Lourdes to Toulouse Matabiau station and from there catch either a bus or the tram to the airport. The bus to the airport leaves from the train station whereas you will need to catch the Metro to link up with the tram service. I recommend allowing 2 hours to get to Toulouse airport from Lourdes by car and 4 hours by rail.

Getting around Lourdes

Lourdes is not a large city and if you don’t mind walking a bit you will be able to access most attractions on foot. There are some steep hills and streets to negotiate at times. For those who aren’t keen to walk, there are local buses that run regularly throughout the day to take you around town There is also a small tourist train that operates during the tourist season that takes you between the major attractions. If you wish to travel to some of the towns and villages surrounding Lourdes there are bus services available if you don’t have your own transport.

The TLP Mobilities website has all the information you need about bus services within Lourdes as well as buses to the airport and Tarbes. Tickets can be bought onboard from the driver or at the Lourdes Tourist Information Center. You can use a credit/debit card to purchase a ticket on the bus but we have found it does not always work, especially if you have an international card, so have some cash handy.

For bus services into the mountains, you will find information on the liO Occitane website . From Lourdes, you can travel on the 962 bus to Bagneres de Bigorre or the 965 bus which travels to Cauterets, Luz Saint Saveur, or Gavarnie. Purchase tickets onboard. You will need cash to purchase your tickets and they cost €2 regardless of your destination. I catch these buses regularly and find them to be a great service to help you get around.

Accommodation options in Lourdes

As you would expect from a town that hosts over 5 million visitors annually, there is no shortage of accommodation options for you to choose from. As an interesting fact, Lourdes boasts over 270 hotels making it second to Paris for most hotels per square kilometre in France. Whether you want a luxury 5-star property or a cheap budget hotel there will be something to suit your style and budget. Prices per night start at €35 for a budget hotel and increase to over €200 per night for a luxury hotel.

If hotels are not your thing you can consider one of the many campgrounds in and around Lourdes. Here you can pitch your own tent, park your camper van or rent one of the onsite cabins or vans. If you prefer a house or apartment you will also find plenty of properties ranging in price and style on sites such as Airbnb.

Eating and drinking in Lourdes

There are five supermarkets in Lourdes, E.Leclerc, Carrefour (2), Lidl, and Netto with E.Leclerc being the largest. Supermarkets in France are typically open 8:30 am – 8 pm Monday to Saturday and 8:30 am – 12:30 pm Sunday. Carrefour City is a smaller supermarket in the centre of Lourdes. Its opening times are longer being 7 am – 9 pm Monday to Saturday and 8 am – 8 pm on Sunday. This is handy if you don’t get to the larger supermarkets before they close.

Les Halles is the fresh food and vegetable market in Lourdes. It is open Monday through Saturday and is worth a visit to sample some of the local produce. You can purchase fruit, vegetables, meats, cheeses, and bread. I highly recommend the boulangerie located inside Les Halles, their croissants are some of the best I have ever tasted.

Lourdes boasts over 100 restaurants and cafes serving a wide variety of cuisines for those who wish to eat out. There is something to suit all budgets so everyone should find something that suits their taste and budget.

When to visit Lourdes

Based on my experience I think the best time to visit Lourdes are the months of May and September. During these months there are fewer people visiting making for a more pleasant experience. July and August are the busiest months and I suggest avoiding these months if you are not a fan of large crowds and your holiday schedule allows it. The months of November to April are considered the off-season and many hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, cafes, and attractions take the opportunity for a break and close.

Things to do in Lourdes

While the majority of visitors to Lourdes come on pilgrimage to visit the Sanctuary of our Lady of Lourdes and the cave where Mary appeared to Bernadette, there are plenty of other things to keep you busy during your stay. Lourdes is a great base for a range of activities including cycling, mountain biking, hiking, and sightseeing in the beautiful Pyrenees. I have put together two separate articles with things to do in and around Lourdes. The first article focuses on things to do in Lourdes itself and the second article focuses on day trips from Lourdes to the surrounding area.

How many days do you need in Lourdes?

How long you stay in Lourdes will depend on what you wish to see and do while you visit. If your plan is to visit the Sanctuary of our Lady of Lourdes only, then you can easily complete this within a day. This will give you time to see the various places of worship, attend one of the daily ceremonies and wander through the surrounding streets. If you would like to see some of the other attractions within the town I would suggest a minimum of 3 days. This will give you time to explore the main attractions, but also time to relax and enjoy the area without having to rush.

Amenities and services

Lourdes is the main centre for the mountains and surrounding towns and villages so you will find a range of amenities and medical services should you require them. This includes a hospital, doctors, dentists, chemists, petrol stations, mechanics, banks, outdoor stores, and hardware stores. If you can’t find what you are looking for in Lourdes, Tarbes is a much larger city and is only 23km by car. Tarbes is also serviced by train and bus from Lourdes.

More information about visiting the Pyrenees

If you are visiting the Pyrenees for the first time we have you covered with additional information. Start with our How to Get to the Pyrenees page that goes into a bit more detail on the options for travel to the Pyrenees generally. Our Things to Do in the Pyrenees expands on the information already provided on this page with a range of attractions a bit further, but still doable, from Lourdes.

15 Things To Know Before Visiting Lourdes, France

Lourdes is a lesser-known town in France that offers just as much to tourists, and this is what travelers should know about when booking a trip there.

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What visitors should know before visiting Lourdes

France is a favorite destination of travelers worldwide but many people instantly think of Paris or the French Riviera when visiting the country. Although those are mandatory destinations for first-time visitors, travelers can expand their itinerary to other romantic and historic locations within the country.

Lourdes, France, is a popular destination for Catholics, as the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to a local woman in 1858. Located within the Pyrenees Mountains, the region is also popular among hikers . The city is famous for its reportedly miraculous healing water and religious buildings, but visiting Lourdes is more than a religious experience, but is an immersion in history.

UPDATE: 2023/07/09 17:54 EST BY LUANA FERREIRA

Visiting Lourdes, France, is a once in a lifetime experience for Catholics and history fans. This article has been updated with information about the best time to visit and Basilica of St. Pius, the world's largest underground Basilica.

17 Best time To Visit Lourdes

The best time to visit Lourdes depends on what travelers are seeking. The peak pilgrimage season from April to October is ideal for attending religious processions, and a chance to witness the Sanctuary at its busiest. During this time, the weather is generally pleasant, with mild temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).

However, travelers looking for an affordable and less crowded experience, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons (January to March). During those months, the accommodation prices are more affordable and the city tends to be less crowded.

16 Transport In Lourdes

Lourdes is a region that can be accessed using four modes of transport. That is by plane, train, car or bus. For a car, the place is connected to several highways that also link to major cities such as Pau, Toulouse, and Tarbes. The entire region has good national roads and enough parking lots.

A tourist can also opt to get in using the bus service. The MonCitybus is the most popular network. For the trains, the TGV train connects to several stations, and it is easy to access other areas of the country. One can also take a train to neighboring European countries such as the Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland.

Just 14 kilometers to the north there is Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees making transport by air easy for tourists.

15 It Has The World’s Underground Basilica

Wandering the streets of Lourdes is an unforgettable experience, but the city’s underground also features some landmarks. The Basilica of St. Pius X is a massive religious building within the Boulevard Père.

This architectural marvel was completed in 1958 and can accommodate up to 25,000 worshipers. Masses are held regularly, allowing visitors to partake in a spiritual service within this awe-inspiring setting. It is advisable to check the schedule for mass times, as they may vary. Due to its significance and popularity, the Underground Basilica attracts a considerable number of pilgrims and visitors, particularly during peak pilgrimage seasons. Arriving early is recommended to secure a seat for the mass.

14 The Sanctuary Of Our Lady Of Lourdes

The Sanctuary of our lady of Lourdes is one of the most significant places a tourist should know about before visiting Lourdes. For a tourist who is interested in visiting a religious tourist destination in Lourdes, then this is a must-do. It is also called the Grotto, and it is a site remembered as where young Miss Soubirous saw the first of her Virgin Mary visions.

It is a church that has been there for several years and remains a tourist attraction.

Related: A Tour Of The Most Beautiful Villages In France

13 Several Religious Events

Lourdes is a religious city. As a result, there are many religious activities and centers one will find in this area. For a traveler who is a catholic, there are many churches within the city for one to attend masses. One of the most known locations to take such masses is the Sanctuary Complex and the masses are in different languages.

However, other events take place at different times such as the Torchlight Procession and International Mass.

12 Chateau Fort Is A Major Non-Religious Attraction

Not everything in Lourdes is all about religion. As a result, it is easy for a tourist to enjoy other attractions. One of them is the Chateau Fort . It is located on top of a rocky hill on the edge of Lourdes city. The fortress receives several visitors per year.

As people walk up to the fort, there are many things to enjoy, one of them being the amazing views and sceneries. However, one can opt to take a lift.

Related: Top 10 Places To Visit In The South Of France

11 Trip To Pic du Jer Offers Great Views Of The City

For a traveler looking for a way to see the entire views of towns such as Tarbes, taking a trip to Pic du Jer is a good option. One looking for fascinating views of Lourdes should take this journey up to Pyrennes. It is a trip that takes up to three hours to complete. However, the experience is worth it.

Tourists enjoy taking the road on a 100-year-old railway. The railway itself makes the journey great. The old tracks plus the splendid views offer the last experience.

10 The Best Market Is Les Halles

Les Halles is a huge covered market with many people in Lourdes. It is a good option for tourists as well. The major commodities in the market are vegetables and fruits. During the weekends one can get the best treats. Another special thing about the Les Halles market is the local produce of spreads, cheese, and condiments. One can also get various kinds of pickles and honey.

The traditional foods and food supplies in the market give visitors a great treat of European culture.

9 Grottes de Betharram Is A Must visit

Grottes de Betharram is one of the most visited natural features in Lourdes. The feature is located just 20 minutes west of the city. It is a labyrinth full of magical limestone caves that run under the foothills of the Pyrenees. The area comprises several levels that were formed due to millions of years of water erosion.

The system here is vas such that it allows navigation by small electric trains and boats. A day in this place will offer a tourist a chance to appreciate and enjoy nature.

Related: Dos And Don’ts When Visiting France For The First time

8 Visit Le Cachot

Le Cachot holds a lot of history about the Soubirous family. It is one of the oldest features that carry the history of the family and this one is a place where the family was imprisoned for several years. The place is so unique that it attracts thousands of people every year.

With the prison having rooms as small as 16m2, it raises many questions about the life of people who were imprisoned there.

7 A Challenge To Climb The Holy Stairs

The name may be the Holy Stairs but they are not the normal stairs. Instead, the place is climbed by kneeling. It is made up of 28 stairs and they represent the step difference between pilates and Jesus that was climbed before his death.

Travelers who are into religious attractions will find meaning and a lot of sense in climbing the place. One can join local religious people in the climb.

6 Le Petit Train Goes Around Lourdes

Lourdes is a city with many attractions and one may want to move around and see all the attractions. Taking a ride on the Le Petit is the best option for this. Although it is a small train, there are comfortable seats and tourists can see all over the town and many things found there. It is a ride that takes 45 minutes and one can witness monumental places and iconic destinations from the comfort of a moving train.

5 Lourdes Is One Of The Top Christian Pilgrimage Sites

Lourdes is the top-visited pilgrimage site in France and one of the top pilgrimage sites in the Christian world. It receives around 6 million pilgrims every year who come ot venerate the site. The story of Lourdes started in 1858 when Bernadette Soubirous is said to have witnessed a beautiful apparition in the small village.

The story goes that he saw a vision of Our Lady surrounded by a brilliant light. Learn more about the history and story of the sight on Marian Pilgrimages . Lourdes can be a part of a greater pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago .

Related: Ireland's Traditional Pilgrimage Hikes Are Both Beautiful And Symbolic

4 Touch The Rock

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes has been built over the site. It has been expanded gradually and now covers 50 hectares. Pilgrims queue to the spot where the Virgin Mary is set to have appeared. What they do is go single file to touch the rock lightly with their fingertips.

They also see the water of the grotto from the spring and pray. Whether one is religious, spiritual, or just looking for something to see and do. Join the queue and touch the fabled rock. Learn more about what to do when visiting the sanctuary on the Lourdes website .

3 There's Also Excitement To Be Lived Nearby

Surrounded by the great beauty of the Pyrenees, activities keep going after leaving the city's perimeter. From hikes along gorgeous trails, to even more extreme options like parachuting down through the mountains and into the meadows. The Lac de Lourdes is also open for any fishing enthusiasts to try their luck at catching one of the many species that swim around the area. And golfers will get an absolute kick out of the golf club surrounded by the beautiful landscape that Lourdes has to offer.

Related: Cheese To Meet You! Start Salivating With These 10 Delicious French Fromageries

2 Explore The Gastronomic Side Of Lourdes

Just like any other place in France, the cuisine of Lourdes makes itself stand out. From freshly made cheese to cozy coffee shops for a quick dessert along the way, there's always somewhere to satisfy a sudden hunger when visiting Lourdes. And the town even has its own set of traditional French dishes for foodies to enjoy , such as the Pyrenean lamb, trouts caught right on Lac de Lourdes, and a special type of pastry made from corn flour.

1 It's Like Lourdes, But Smaller

For those who would prefer to stroll around a much smaller version of the town as if they were giants, Le Petit Lourdes is a unique museum that holds a smaller version of old downtown Lourdes. Complete with depictions of buildings from the 19th century, river canals, bridges, and even one of the town's most famous grottoes with a tine statue of the virgin. This is a fantastic way of somewhat experiencing the town's past when it was first built, as long as having to use a magnifying glass to appreciate all the details isn't a huge problem.

NEXT: Road Trip France: Getting From Paris To Mont St. Michel, And What To See Along The Way

Lourdes Facts

Facts about Lourdes, France

• The most visited pilgrimage shrine in the Christian world, Lourdes is not an ancient site but of more recent development. Lourdes is the site of a Marian apparition in 1858.
• The pilgrimage season at Lourdes lasts from April through October, with the main day being August 15, the Marian Feast of Assumption.
• Four to six million pilgrims from around the world visit the shrine each year and it is estimated that more than 200 million pilgrims have come to Lourdes since 1860.
• Other important Marian apparitions have occurred in La Salette, France in 1846; Pontmain, France in 1871; Knock, Ireland in 1879; Castelpetroso, Italy in 1888; Fatima, Portugal in 1916-1917; Garabandal, Spain in 1961-1965; Zeitoun, Egypt in 1968-1968; and Medjugorje, Yugoslavia in 1981.

History of Lourdes

• The origins of its sanctity begin with the fourteen-year old girl Bernadette Soubirous.
• Between February and July of 1858, Bernadette saw apparitions of a white-robed lady 18 times in a small grotto called Massabiele, near the town of Lourdes.
• In the apparitions Bernadette was told to instruct the village priest to build a chapel in the grotto, which many people would soon come to visit.
• On the day of the 16th apparition, March 25, the lady revealed herself as the Blessed Virgin Mary. During her ecstatic trance in the grotto, Bernadette began to dig in the earth until a small puddle of water appeared. Over the next few days the puddle enlarged into a pool and eventually became the sacred spring for which Lourdes is now so famous.
• Initially only a regional pilgrimage destination, as incidents of healing began to be reported, the spring developed an international reputation for having therapeutic powers.
• From 1864 to 1872 the site was mostly a regional pilgrimage destination attracting approximately 30,000 persons per year. Initially the shrine was not known for its curative power but after 1873, when incidents of healing at the spring began to be reported, the shrine rapidly developed a national and then international reputation for having therapeutic powers.
• The increasing number of pilgrims eventually overcrowded the original church built above the grotto in 1876, and in 1958 an immense basilica was constructed.

Our Lady of Lourdes

• On the day of the 16th apparition, March 25, the lady revealed herself as the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is also called Maria de Lourdes.

Purposes of Lourdes

• Pilgrims visiting Lourdes for its healing qualities bathe in pools of water from Bernadette's spring.
• Reports of miracles of our Lady of Lourdes are thoroughly examined and evidence indicates that there are many cases of verifiable healings at the grotto.
• Generally speaking, Marian apparitions occur in Roman Catholic countries; the witnesses of the apparitions are usually young children between the ages of 6 and 12; the messages given by the apparitions to the children are concerned with world affairs of which the children had no previous knowledge; and the apparitions make accurate predictions of future events.
• Regarding the reasons for the occurrence of Marian apparitions, D. Scott Rogo writes that it is "possible that they are projections of images latent in our minds which literally become temporarily real on rare occasions.....The key to understanding Marian apparitions may be in their tendency to occur at times of social and/or political crisis. At such times of stress, some form of mass telepathic communication may occur in the collective unconscious of the threatened culture. This may lead to the formation of a "group mind", which, in turn, results in the projection of a Marian visitation.”

Lourdes Rosary and Lourdes water Rosaries

• At the shrine of Sainte Bernadette rosaries made of wood, glass, pewter and crystal are available for sale. Some of these rosaries also contain water from the holy spring.
• Pilgrims may also purchase pictures of the Lady of Lourdes apparition.
• Lourdes tours and tours of the surrounding countryside are available to visitors.

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Millions of pilgrims travel to Lourdes each year. What made it such an important symbol of hope and healing?

(THE CONVERSATION) Thousands of apparitions of the Virgin Mary have been reported by Christians across the world, from fourth-century Asia Minor , which is now Turkey, to contemporary California . Of all of these, the most renowned are the visions of Our Lady of Lourdes, reported in the mid-19th century by a teenage girl in the French Pyrenees mountains.

Ever since, devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes has gripped the Catholic imagination . Lourdes is one of the very few apparitions the Vatican has officially commended as worthy of belief , with its own feast day, Feb. 11, in the church’s annual liturgical calendar.

Some 6 million pilgrims come to the shrine in Lourdes, France , each year to pray and seek healing.

This popular pilgrimage is one of the most visible examples of the devotion of many Catholics to Mary. I am a Jesuit priest and theologian whose research focuses on Mariology , the academic study of ideas about Mary in Christian history.

Some 6 million pilgrims  come to the shrine in Lourdes, France, each year to pray and seek healing.

The Lady in the Grotto

In 1858, a 14-year-old girl named Bernadette Soubirous reported having 18 visions of a beautiful “young lady” in a cave near Lourdes, which was then a provincial town. Soubirous said that the figure identified herself as “ the Immaculate Conception ” and instructed the girl to dig into the earth and drink the water she found there. In other messages, the lady asked for a church to be built there so priests could come in procession.

Reports of the events drew large crowds who believed them to be apparitions of the Virgin Mary, and many people began attributing healing properties to the waters of the spring. These extraordinary events soon attracted the notice of the Parisian press and gained the support of the French imperial court .

Many Catholics interpreted the apparitions as confirming the doctrine of Immaculate Conception , which Pope Pius IX in 1854 had declared to be an essential element of Catholic faith. This teaching holds that Mary, as the mother of Jesus, was conceived without original sin – the incomplete union with God that, according to Catholic belief, all people are born with as a result of Adam and Eve’s disobeying God in the Garden of Eden.

Many Catholics interpreted the apparitions as confirming the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Church officials were quickly alerted to Soubirous’ experiences and were initially concerned about the truth of her account. After investigating, the local bishop became convinced that Mary had indeed appeared to the young woman. Popes later encouraged veneration at Lourdes, and in 1933, Soubirous herself was canonized as St. Bernadette .

Catholic churches, schools and hospitals soon began to be dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, and replicas of the cave , or “grotto,” are today found throughout the world. These sites are built for worshippers who cannot make the pilgrimage but who seek to share in the experience of Lourdes.

Lourdes water

Researching popular Catholic devotions has taught me that apparitions attract skeptics as easily as they do crowds of enthusiastic believers. They also stir up religious and political controversy .

From the start, church officials at Lourdes sought to deny claims of direct supernatural intervention for cures that could be scientifically explained instead. Today physicians at the International Medical Committee of Lourdes run a rigorous process of investigating claims of miraculous healings there.

Most reported healings turn out to have purely natural causes, but if the committee does not find a medical explanation, it refers the case to the local bishop for investigation. Since the 1860s, church officials have formally declared 70 of the Lourdes healings to be miracles. The most recent case , which they confirmed in 2018, involved the healing of a French nun who had been using a wheelchair and suffering severe pain for almost 30 years, but recovered soon after her pilgrimage to the grotto.

Over the course of the 20th century, the number of new miracles confirmed in Lourdes has gradually slowed because of growth in scientific understanding.

Since the 1860s, church officials have formally declared 70 of the Lourdes healings to be miracles.

In 2006, church officials declared that, beyond “miracles,” they would recognize three additional categories of healing at Lourdes, in light of advances in medical knowledge: “unexpected,” “confirmed” or “exceptional” healings. The new categories relax the previous strict division between “natural” and “supernatural” healings, with the implication that God intervenes in many cases in which health is restored, even those that do not strictly qualify as “miracles” in the sense traditionally used by the Catholic Church .

Devotion goes digital

If the number of officially recognized miracles has declined, grassroots faith in Lourdes is as strong as ever. An understanding that sickness and healing involve psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects as well as physical ones helps explain some of Lourdes’ continuing appeal for many contemporary Catholics.

Devotional practices involve the sensory experiences of seeing, touching, tasting and hearing . Visitors travel from all over the world to light candles in the grotto, touch the rock where Soubirous said the Virgin appeared, join in the chants of the twice-daily processions, attend Mass, take Communion, and bathe in and drink the holy waters of the spring.

Psychologically, being in the company of large crowds of fellow believers strengthens social faith identity , as does seeing sick pilgrims treated with dignity and honor.

An understanding that sickness and healing involve psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects as well as physical ones helps explain some of Lourdes’ continuing appeal for many contemporary Catholics.

Many family, friends, spiritual advisers and volunteers from international Catholic organizations, such as the Order of Malta , accompany visitors too ill to travel alone. The physical work of caring for the sick affects people spiritually. I have visited Lourdes several times as both helper and chaplain and heard many confessions there. I know that many of those who volunteer their time as helpers – including people who are not practicing Catholics or even Christians – return home with deeper gratitude for their own health and a livelier faith.

For two months in 2020, the shrine at Lourdes closed for the first time in its history because of the pandemic. Since then, live-streaming of the grotto has attracted an even wider audience. Its dedicated YouTube channel and other social media are 21st-century virtual equivalents of the replica grottoes built in church grounds, schools, hospitals and homes around the world .

Skeptics will likely continue to dispute claims of miraculous healings and apparitions of the Virgin Mary. For millions, however, Lourdes will indisputably continue to be an important faith symbol of comfort and care, and a byword for healing and hope.

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Lourdes travel guide

Visit Lourdes (Occitanie, France)

Lourdes is a town in the Hautes-Pyrenees department, 45 kilometres south-east of Pau . I hardly need explain the attraction of Lourdes. In 1858 in a cave near the town - the Grotte de Massabielle - the Virgin Mary appeared several times to a local girl, Bernadette.

From this beginning a substantial pilgrimage destination has arisen, a substantial industry has flourished based on these pilgrims, and many millions of visitors descend on the town each year.

Explore Lourdes

Lourdes is one of France's leading tourist resorts, and with over 220 hotels it boasts the largest number of hotels of any town in France outside of Paris , occupied by a massive 5 million visitors each year.

France This Way review: the descriptions of a visit to Lourdes below are a combination of contributions from more than one visitor, so you can see that Lourdes has a different impact on different people.

To many visitors it is a town offering a glimmer of hope, while to others Lourdes is simply a crowded resort. In truth of course it is both - the sanctuary and grotte area of Lourdes is a calm, restful environment where the faithful gather, while the town outside the sanctuary is crowded with tacky gift shops and cheap restaurants. If you can enjoy one and ignore the other a visit can be very pleasant!

The sanctuary at Lourdes

This part of Lourdes, with the church, chapel, crypt and grotte, is across the bridge from the town centre and surrounded by quite extensive gardens. The buildings themselves are attractive enough, mostly dating from the late 19th century. The Basilica of Saint Pius X is the largest of churches, able to accommodate over 25,000 people. It’s an awe inspiring place and a 'must see' on your places to visit.

The grotte where Bernadette appeared is just below the basilica towards the river and now contains a statue of the saint. There are also places where you can drink water from the spring.

Also within the sanctuary area (just beyond the grotte) is an extensive 'candle burning' area. To the front of the basilica there are several trees hung with rosaries left by visitors - these get sent around the world to related Christian communities at the end of each year.

General information

For visitors looking for a spiritual experience there are masses offered in over 22 languages, at all times of the day and night: the tourist office in Lourdes will give you all the information you need.

For the curious or those seeking a cure it is a good idea to get the program of masses, or like me you’ll walk in at a crucial moment with children running amok and heads will turn, as you rapidly seek your excuses in any language before sneaking out tail between legs.

With countless churches burning over 750 tonnes of candles each year, nine museums and far too many souvenir shops, Lourdes tries to combine an important historical value with a great deal of plastic tat.

When Bernadette Soubirous had her Apparitions, very little thought was given to the fact that this beautiful valley town, would be impregnated by concrete over-development, and less thought was given to the fact that the sick and wounded would end up visiting this place as their last resort… as the narrow pavements, and steep hills aren’t overly conducive to wheelchair travel.

In the town of Lourdes itself you can see the house where Bernadette was born and also the house where her father lived. These are among the most interesting houses in the town.

A handy way to get around is by using the tourist train. This covers 7.5 kilometres and the trip lasts about 45 minutes: it offers you the chance to see the Cité Mariale, the old quarters, the upper town and its historic buildings. You can hop on and off the train at various intervals throughout the journey.

A walk up towards the forest and you’ll see where Bernadette gathered dead wood in her pre-apparition days: there are a wide range of marked walks with information, children’s play areas, an exercise course and even a picnic area.

Le Pic du Jer has a large cross and can be accessed by the chair lift reaching the summit which is approx 1,000 metres high in only 6 minutes. The ascent is stunning, taking you through the pine trees and offering magnificent views over Lourdes, Pau, Tarbes and of course… the Pyrenees. It’s well worth a trip.

All in all… Lourdes is a place to say you’ve visited, there is something for everyone, but the commercialisation spoils the spiritual meaning

Attractions nearby

Set in the stunning backdrop of the Pyrenees there are many reasons to visit Lourdes, if not for just for the holy benefits then certainly for the astounding scenery and endless activities here and amazing excursions in to the Pyrenees.

Only minutes from the town centre is an amazing lake, formed from a glacier, it’s one of the largest in the Pyrenees spanning over 55 hectares.

You can also escape from the hassle of Lourdes with an array of fishing and water sports including sailing, rowing, pedalos, mountain-biking, horse riding, and Lourdes is a fabulous spot to picnic with many “tourist orientated” restaurants which are best avoided as they charge tourist prices too! The south bank of the lake also offers an 18 hole golf – course.

For historical value, a trip to the Mauvezin Castle (a medieval fortress) built between the 11th and 14th centuries by the counts of Bigorre and completed by Gaston Fébus and Jean de Grailly is well worth your time.

The castle is a great place to visit for those with children With a magnificent views you’ll see the Pic du Midi, and enjoy an amazing view of the Pyrenees along with the 37-metre-high keep houses. There’s also an archaeological museum, with various exhibitions, a gun room and reconstructions of historical scenes.

You can find more travel ideas in the Hautes-Pyrenees guide and the Midi-Pyrenees guide .

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Map of lourdes and places nearby, visit near lourdes with france this way reviews.

Saint-Savin

It is the abbey church in Saint-Savin, and the surrounding countryside, that make a visit recommended

The substantial gardens of Jardin Massey are the main place of interest in the centre of Tarbes

Luz-Saint-Sauveur

The pleasant town of Luz-Saint-Sauveur is well placed to explore some lovely Pyreneean mountain scenery

Col du Tourmalet

The Col du Tourmalet is a mountain pass in the Pyrenees, famous because the Tour de France passes here very often

Col d'Aubisque

The Col d'Aubisque is a beautiful mountain pass with views of numerous high mountains in the Pyrenees

Gourette s a small ski station on the route to the Col d'Aubisque near Eaux-Bonnes

... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Hautes-Pyrenees

Address: Lourdes, Argelès-Gazost, Midi-Pyrenees, 65100, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.095, longitude -0.0267

Plan your visit to Lourdes, Hautes-Pyrenees

Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby.

• Ourdis-Cotdoussan église St Jacques (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (7 km)
• Grottes de Betharram: site of natural beauty (14 km)
• Grottes de Médous: site of natural beauty (16 km)
• Marshall Foch house: national monument (17 km)
• Jardin Massey: remarkable garden (18 km)
• Tarbes : ville fleurie 4* (19 km)
• Zoo d'Asson: zoo or wildlife park (20 km)
• Col du Tourmalet : site of natural beauty (25 km)
• Cirque du Lys: site of natural beauty (26 km)
• Cirque du Litor: site of natural beauty (26 km)
• Col d'Aubisque: site of natural beauty (29 km)
• Pont d'Espagne: site of natural beauty (29 km)

Market days in Lourdes, France

Regular market(s) are held in Lourdes each Wednesday & Tuesday & Thursday all day & Saturday all day & Monday & Friday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)

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Lourdes: Pilgrims flock to French sanctuary online in their millions

• Published 15 May 2021
• Coronavirus

In normal times around 15,000 Christian pilgrims a day would be visiting the Sanctuary of Lourdes at this time of year. But Lourdes, as everywhere, has had to change with the times.

The most visited site is the grotte , or cave, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared in front of a young girl collecting firewood in 1858. Many are attracted by that story - and very ill pilgrims are drawn by the miraculous healings that are said to have occurred there.

Nowadays as few as 30 people kneel for afternoon prayers in front of a statue of a Virgin Mary at the cave entrance. This would once have been unthinkable, but the pandemic and restrictions imposed last year have brought pilgrimages to a dramatic halt.

Jump in audiences

Lourdes has a population of just 14,000, but before Covid the sanctuary attracted around 3.5 million, mainly Catholic, visitors a year. So Church authorities decided to reach out to the faithful with what are being called e-pilgrimages.

All day long, radio and TV broadcasts of services and prayers at the grotte are shown on Lourdes TV and rebroadcast by France's national Catholic Church TV channel KTO, which also broadcasts worldwide to francophone countries.

The services are also re-broadcast live on both radio and television outlets on five continents, according to the sanctuary.

Mathias Terrier, who is head of the Lourdes Sanctuary studio facilities, said they had always broadcast certain prayer services but viewer numbers have jumped from one million to five million a day. Followers on social media have soared by 40%.

"Every day services are held in four languages - French, Italian, English and Spanish; on some days we even have priests who can give masses in Korean or Chinese," he told the BBC. "We hold Facebook Live events at the sanctuary and our social media accounts memberships have risen by more than 40% in the past year."

Faith and spirituality in the time of Covid

• 'Religion helped me through lockdown '
• ' What Europeans have learned from a year of Covid

The sanctuary has 20 outside broadcast television cameras to record the services across the sanctuary, and in the studio an engineer switches between the various cameras during the live events.

Temporary fix for pilgrims

The priests start their services in front of the grotte , saying: "Even though there are few of us here physically, welcome to all those following us globally from their homes via internet, radio or TV."

The sanctuary even has its own radio station, Radio Présence, which broadcasts across France, and senior clergy come in to speak to directly to diocese community leaders who would normally come to Lourdes each year.

Underlining the success of this outreach programme, the sanctuary organised an all-day worldwide remote e-pilgrimage event last July called Lourdes United, which pulled in more than 80 million viewers.

Mathias Terrier said that when Indian broadcasters and social media outlets dialled in to take the broadcasts live, their software system crashed temporarily because there were so many viewers in the sub-continent which they hadn't expected at all.

They intend to repeat the same event this July, but the Church authorities say the broadcasts are a temporary fix: they want the pilgrims back.

"The goal of all these broadcasts is not to find a way of keeping pilgrims at a distance but to create a desire for them to return to Lourdes," insists Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, rector of the Sanctuary. "A pilgrimage sitting on your couch doesn't make sense."

Our objective is to support the faithful in their prayers and strengthen their bond with the Virgin Mary and encourage them to return as soon as they can Olivier Ribadeau Dumas Rector of Lourdes Sanctuary

Facts about Lourdes

• The Catholic Church says 70 miraculous healings have occurred at Lourdes - the most recent in 2018
• The Sanctuary has examined more than 7,000 cases of unexplained cures
• The Office of Medical Observations at the Sanctuary carries out investigations into unexplained healings

Lourdes has the largest number of hotels in France outside Paris. There are 143 in all, with more than 9,800 rooms, and it's been a wretched 15 months for the industry.

Christian Giles, who runs the local hotel trade body, says some are preparing to reopen again in July as government Covid restrictions are loosened, but it will be slow.

He expects some pilgrims to return individually but most come in tour groups that require a lot of organising ahead of time.

"Many of our guests are elderly or sick and frail. Often they arrive on planes or buses equipped to handle pilgrim groups and it will take time before they are up and running again," Mr Giles told the BBC. "This year we do not expect many people to come back for pilgrimages. It will be another two or three years before we return to normal here."

On top of that, many pilgrims come from South America, and it's unclear when they will be able to come to Europe without having to go into quarantine first.

'Missing pilgrimage is a big deal'

Every year, Tangney Tours organises pilgrimages for 10,000 UK-based visitors. Many return each year and, borrowing from the sanctuary's approach, they are keeping in touch with pilgrims by making videos for absent clients.

"Sometimes the groups will contact us and ask us to light a candle dedicated to their particular group or diocese, so we buy the candle and have it decorated in the appropriate colours or coat of arms," says local representative Lisa Dodd.

We know they are missing Lourdes because we get a lot of repeat business and they come back year after year, so missing one year of their annual pilgrimage is a big deal to them. Lisa Dodd (R) with Linda Doran Tangney Tours

They also video themselves lighting candles so regulars know they are being remembered in their prayers.

Around 450,000 pilgrims arrive on charter flights from across the globe at Lourdes airport but none are scheduled. For the time being, live-streamed pilgrimages are here to stay.

Chris Bockman is author of "Are you the foie gras correspondent? Another slow news day in South West France"

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Churches connect with congregations online (April 2020)

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What Europeans have learned from a year of Covid

• Published 20 February 2021

• Published 3 January 2021

'Religion helped me through lockdown'

• Published 24 June 2020

Lourdes, France The perfect 2 days itinerary

Lourdes is a small market town lying in the foothills of the Pyrenees, famous for the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes that are reported to have occurred in 1858 to Bernadette Soubirous. Today, the city is a major place of Roman Catholic pilgrimage and of miraculous healings. The 150-year-old Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is considered one of the holiest sites in the world, attracting millions of visitors each year.

What to do in Lourdes?

This 2 days itinerary is the perfect guide to the best things to see in Lourdes. It includes day-by-day activities, travel tips, and the top places to visit.

Day 1: Exploring the Spiritual Heart of Lourdes

Start your day with a visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes . Spend some time in the peaceful surroundings and visit the Grotto of Massabielle where the apparitions took place. Participate in the morning mass for a spiritual experience.

Visit the Rosary Basilica , a stunning piece of architecture with beautiful mosaics. Later, explore the Way of the Cross , a steep hillside path with life-sized Stations of the Cross.

Participate in the evening procession, a daily event where pilgrims carry candles and sing the Ave Maria of Lourdes.

Day 2: Discovering the Natural Beauty of Lourdes

Visit the Pic du Jer , a mountain overlooking Lourdes. Take a funicular to the top for panoramic views of the town and the Pyrenees.

Explore the Lourdes Market for local produce and delicacies. Visit the Château fort de Lourdes , a historic castle with a museum that offers insights into the Pyrenean culture.

Stroll along the Gave de Pau River and enjoy the serene atmosphere. End your day with a quiet reflection at the Sanctuary.

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Welcome to the Sanctuaire of Lourdes

Experience the Lourdes pilgrimage

Day pilgrims.

Allowing everyone to discover or rediscover the beauty and simplicity of this place of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary and her message of peace, comfort and hope which is so relevant today. ______________

Coming to Lourdes

Further information on the Lourdes Tourist Office website ______________

Accommodation / Meals

Tarbes-Lourdes International Airport (TLP) is located fifteen minutes from the Sanctuary. Lourdes is also accessible from Pau airport (PUF, 45 km away) and Toulouse-Blagnac airport (TLS, 180 km away).

You can reach Lourdes by train, departing from the main cities of France. When you arrive at Lourdes station, you will find city buses that will take you to the Sanctuary.

You can get to Lourdes by car, via the A64 motorway from Toulouse or the A65 from Bordeaux. Several parking areas are available in the city.

Praying to Our Lady of Lourdes

Entrust your prayer to the “chapelains”.

Prayer intentions received today

Candles lit today

Offering of Masses received today

News from the Sanctuary

Find information about the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes ______________

Come to Lourdes and become a “Pilgrim for a day”

• 8 April 2024

Venez à Lourdes et devenez « Pèlerin d’un jour ». Les activités proposées par le Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes pour la saison 2024.

Living the Easter season in Lourdes

• 1 April 2024

The Easter celebrations in Lourdes began on Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem as King of Peace, and continued through Holy Week: Maundy Thursday (institution of the Eucharist), Good Friday (the Passion) and Holy Saturday with the Easter Vigil leading … Continued

The statue of the Virgin of Lourdes is 160 years old

• 28 March 2024

The Virgin appeared to Bernadette eighteen times in 1858. In 1863, the sculptor Joseph Fabisch was chosen to create the statue of the Virgin.

Celebrate Easter with the colours of the HCPT pilgrimage

From 30th March to 7th April, the joyful HCPT pilgrimage (Handicapped Children Pilgrimage Trust, an English-speaking association supporting sick or disabled children on pilgrimage), recognisable by its caps and hats decorated with all sorts of accessories, will be spreading its … Continued

“I am the Immaculate Conception”

• 22 March 2024

In Lourdes, on 25th March 1858, the Lady said her name The feast of the Annunciation is celebrated on 25th March, nine months before 25th December, the date of Christ’s birth. In Lourdes, we also celebrate an event in the … Continued

“The Sanctuary of Lourdes: a house of prayer”

• 18 March 2024

The Holy Father addressed the second international meeting of rectors and shrine employees on the theme of “The Sanctuary: a house of prayer”, focusing his speech on adoration in shrines, places of consolation and hope for all pilgrims who visit … Continued

The Lourdes pilgrimage

Join a pilgrimage near me ______________

Young people in Lourdes

The Young People’s Pastoral Care team at the Sanctuary gives advice and helps develop a programme for your pilgrimage. ______________

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The Lourdes Apparitions

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2-Day Lourdes Itinerary

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• Lourdes in 2 days
• 1-Day Lourdes Itinerary
• 3-Day Lourdes Itinerary
• 4-Day Lourdes Itinerary
• 5-Day Lourdes Itinerary

Table of contents

Day 1: most popular attractions, day 2: center of town, basilica of our lady of the rosary.

Basilica of St. Pius X

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes

Church of saint bernadette, maison paternelle de sainte-bernadette, château fort musée pyrénéen, funiculaire du pic du jer, where to eat, l'epi d'or, grand hôtel gallia & londres bike & nuxe spa, café brasserie les brancardiers.

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Massabielle Grotto

Musée du petit lourdes, molino de boly / casa natal de bernardita, musée de cire de lourdes, tourist office of lourdes, ganapathy restaurant, at king albert, casa italia.

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Popular road trips from Lourdes

What's the weather like in lourdes.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Lourdes for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Lourdes in January
• Weather in Lourdes in February
• Weather in Lourdes in March
• Weather in Lourdes in April
• Weather in Lourdes in May
• Weather in Lourdes in June
• Weather in Lourdes in July
• Weather in Lourdes in August
• Weather in Lourdes in September
• Weather in Lourdes in October
• Weather in Lourdes in November
• Weather in Lourdes in December

All road trips from Lourdes

• Lourdes to Barcelona drive
• Lourdes to Paris drive
• Lourdes to London drive
• Lourdes to Madrid drive
• Lourdes to Rome drive
• Lourdes to Amsterdam drive
• Lourdes to Lisbon drive
• Lourdes to Florence drive
• Lourdes to Valencia drive
• Lourdes to Milan drive
• Lourdes to Berlin drive
• Lourdes to Prague drive
• Lourdes to Venice drive
• Lourdes to Bordeaux drive
• Lourdes to San Sebastian - Donostia drive
• Lourdes to Seville drive
• Lourdes to Edinburgh drive
• Lourdes to Dublin drive
• Lourdes to Budapest drive
• Lourdes to Zaragoza drive
• Lourdes to Vienna drive
• Lourdes to Bilbao drive
• Lourdes to Toulouse drive
• Lourdes to Brussels drive
• Lourdes to Turin drive
• Lourdes to Porto drive
• Lourdes to Marseille drive
• Lourdes to Munich drive
• Lourdes to Granada drive

Explore nearby places

• Aspin-en-Lavedan
• Berberust-Lias
• Agos-Vidalos
• Ourdis-Cotdoussan
• Saint-Pe-de-Bigorre
• Saint-Pastous
• Lamarque-Pontacq
• Sere-en-Lavedan
• Argeles-Gazost
• Ayros-Arbouix
• Vier-Bordes

All related maps of Lourdes

• Map of Lourdes
• Map of Aspin-en-Lavedan
• Map of Bartres
• Map of Poueyferre
• Map of Lezignan
• Map of Omex
• Map of Segus
• Map of Lugagnan
• Map of Loubajac
• Map of Berberust-Lias
• Map of Peyrouse
• Map of Juncalas
• Map of Agos-Vidalos
• Map of Cheust
• Map of Ourdis-Cotdoussan
• Map of Benac
• Map of Ouzous
• Map of Boo-Silhen
• Map of Ayzac-Ost
• Map of Saint-Pe-de-Bigorre
• Map of Saint-Pastous
• Map of Salles
• Map of Lamarque-Pontacq
• Map of Sere-en-Lavedan
• Map of Argeles-Gazost
• Map of Ayros-Arbouix
• Map of Vier-Bordes

Lourdes throughout the year

• Lourdes in January
• Lourdes in February
• Lourdes in March
• Lourdes in April
• Lourdes in May
• Lourdes in June
• Lourdes in July
• Lourdes in August
• Lourdes in September
• Lourdes in October
• Lourdes in November
• Lourdes in December

Looking for other day-by-day itineraries in Lourdes?

Check out our other curated itineraries that are also filled with jam-packed days:

Day itineraries for nearby cities

• 2-Day Argeles-Gazost Itinerary
• 2-Day Saint-Pe-de-Bigorre Itinerary

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The Top Things to See and Do in Lourdes

When in the mid-1800s the Virgin Mary appeared to a young peasant girl named Bernadette Soubirous, the fortunes of Lourdes changed spectacularly overnight. This small town in the Pyrenean foothills soon became one of the world’s most frequently visited pilgrimage sites, and today Lourdes attracts some six million visitors a year who come in search of physical healing and spiritual salvation. Here are the essential things to see and do in Lourdes.

1. the sanctuary of our lady of lourdes.

No visit to Lourdes would be complete without a visit to the site that kickstarted religious tourism in the town. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, also known as the grotto, is the site at which the young Miss Soubirous experienced the first of her 18 visions of the Virgin Mary. During her ninth encounter with the holy apparition, Soubirous was supposedly instructed to wash in the grotto and today visitors wait in line for the opportunity to take a dip in its freezing waters.

2. Château Fort

Historical Landmark

The 1,000-year-old Château Fort de Lourdes (Fortress of Lourdes) is the town’s only major secular attraction, balancing atop a rocky outcrop on the edge of the city. Never conquered in its history, it is home to the Musée Pyrénéen, a museum of regional artefacts and art. Gaze upon reconstructions of domestic interiors and learn about festive costumes and beliefs unique to the area. The ascent to the fort is a short yet steep walk whilst the views out over the city and beyond to the Pyrenees are a glittering reward. Those who find this a daunting prospect can take the lift for free.

3. Pic du Jer

Natural Feature

Overshadowing Lourdes, this jagged outcrop rises to 1,000m and offers exquisite views of the town and beyond. You’ll need roughly three hours – and plenty of bottled water – to reach the summit on foot. Failing that, the 120-year-old funicular offers a scenic trip that takes just 15-minutes. Disembarking at the top, you’ll find a restaurant as well as trails leading to various viewpoints and caves. The Pic du Jer is also a magnificent sight from below at night, crowned with its giant illuminated cross.

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5. Moulin de Boly

The Moulin de Boly – the birthplace of Bernadette Soubirous, in the heart of Lourdes – was originally a water mill where the girl spent her first 10 years. Renovated in 2012, the site is now a museum featuring a bedroom, kitchen and watermill. Informative tours are available, providing more detail on the simple lives led by peasant families at the time and for pilgrims, it reveals a more intimate portrayal of Bernadette’s early life.

6. La Ferme du Bon’Air

For a break from sites of religious interest, this farm offers a fun and intriguing alternative surrounded by lush greenery. Meet and pet locally reared animals including ponies, guinea pigs and more. There are plenty of picnic areas for a leisurely lunch and if you’re visiting the town with young children, this farm provides a welcome diversion from the slew of historic sites.

7. La Source

Pilgrims come to this spring to collect Lourdes’ fabled water. The custom has its origins in the story of the Virgin Mary’s apparition to Bernadette, in which the girl was instructed to go to the source. It is important to point out that Lourdes water is not classed as holy water, as it has not been blessed by a priest. Nevertheless, there have been countless anecdotes of pilgrims finding themselves cured of various diseases and afflictions after drinking it.

8. The Holy Stairs

Architectural Landmark

These replicate the marble originals in Rome ’s Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs (Scala Sancta) which, Catholic tradition holds, belonged to Pontius Pilate’s praetorium in Jerusalem, and were relocated in the fourth century CE by the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine. The Lourdes steps lead to the first Station of the Cross on the Hill of Espélugues. Pilgrims often negotiate the 28 steps on their knees in penance to Christ, who climbed the Scala Sancta to appear before Pontius Pilate for sentencing to death by crucifixion.

9. Candlelit procession

As part of a tradition that began in 1872, from April to the end of October, every night at 9pm, the Marian Torchlight Procession travels from the prairie to The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. Pilgrims join the march, bearing candles and torches as well as statues of the Virgin Mary. The walk takes about 90 minutes before blessings are dispensed by a priest.

10. Chemin de Croix

Completed in 1912 after 13 years of considered construction, The Way of the Cross is an integral part of a pilgrimage to Lourdes: a winding route navigating the wooded hill of Espélugues for 1.5 kilometers. Along it, 115 lifesize iron figures depict, in vignettes, the 14 devotions, or specific events that made up Jesus’s last day on earth: these, the Stations of the Cross, invite you to pause, contemplate and perhaps take a photo. (For the more physically challenged, there is a separate and more easily accessible route.) At the tranquil summit you can lie back on the grass, catch your breath and contemplate the horizon, as Pyrenean peaks fade to infinity.

11. Lourdes baths

Architectural Landmark, Spa

In the grounds of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, a natural spring emerges in the Grotto of Massabielle. The baths created around this spring have been a pilgrimage site for Catholic worshippers since the 1800s. Supposedly, the spring was revealed by an apparition of the Virgin Mary, who described its location to Bernadette Soubirous. What flows from the spring is considered to be a form of holy water that some claim possesses various healing properties.

12. Les Halles

At this huge covered market – the culinary heart of Lourdes – people shop for fresh fruit and vegetables as well as specialty ingredients and weekend treats. Expect locally produced cheeses, spreads and condiments as well different kinds of honey, pickles and preserves stacked temptingly on top of one another. While you’re browsing, make sure to try the traditional local pastry gâteau à la broche , cake cooked on a spit in front of an open fire, thought to have been brought to France by Napoleonic soldiers returning from battle in eastern Europe.

13. Grottes de Bétharram

Just a 20-minute drive west of the city is this labyrinth of magical limestone caves, running beneath the foothills of the Pyrenees. Comprising several levels they are the result of water erosion over millions of years. The system is so vast that part of it can be navigated by boat and part by a small electric train, introduced in the 1970s. You’ll see otherworldly rock formations as well as stalactites and stalagmites that cast eerily shaped shadows.

Alex Allen contributed additional reporting to this article.

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Visit Lourdes

Lourdes, a world bastion of spirituality, welcomes over 5 million visitors from over 140 countries every year. With 189 hotels, Lourdes is the second biggest hotel town in France.

Lourdes is also a small Pyrenean town with a very rich cultural and natural heritage . It offers a wide range of activities for sports and outdoor leisure fans (whitewater sports, horse rides and walks, golf, skiing and spa tourism).

Its geographical location at the foot of the mountains also makes it a first-rate tourist destination and an ideal base for discovering the Pyrenees.

• The Sanctuaries of Our Lady of Lourdes

- The Grotto of Massabielle is the place where the Virgin appeared in 1858 to Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old girl from Lourdes. - The Basilica of the Rosary, in the Romano-Byzantine style, is monument of great interest, with its ornamentation of Venetian mosaics spread over a surface area of 2 000m². - The Basilica of St. Pius X, which has capacity for 25000 people and was consecrated in 1958, is decorated with 39 paintings depicting various saints and blessed people, and also by 52 gemmaux. - The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Its stained glass windows tell the story of the Virgin Mary up until the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception by Pope Pius IX in 1854 and the Apparitions of Lourdes in 1858.

• The Castle Fort and Pyrenean Museum

This thousand-year-old fortress, which has never been conquered, is a listed historical monument and a museum of France. Since 1921, it has housed the Pyrenean Museum, which presents the most important collections on the history of the French and Spanish Pyrenees.

• The Pic du Jer Funicular takes visitors to the mountain of the same name. It offers the most beautiful panoramic views of the Pyrenees from Lourdes.

In Hautes-Pyrénées, to really get to know our land you need to experience our gastronomy. It’s part of everyday life, especially at festival time. Feel free to taste Bigorre specialities and our recipes, stroll around the markets in a typical Pyrenean setting, and meet local producers. If you like savoury things, discover Pyrenees lamb , garbure (soup with ham and beans), Gascon black pig , or duck served in a wide variety of ways... If you have a sweet tooth, treat yourself to the traditional gâteau à la broche (pancake batter cake) or cailloux du gave (boiled sweets)!

Office de Tourisme de Lourdes Place Peyramale - BP 17 65101 Lourdes cedex Tel: +33 (0)5 62 42 77 40 - Fax: +33 (0)5 62 94 60 95

Getting there

• Tarbes Lourdes Pyrénées airport (10 km)
• Pau Pyrénées airport (45 km)
• Paris (Montparnasse) – Lourdes – Tarbes: 5hrs30
• Direct train service from Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille, Nice, Lyon, Ventimiglia, Hendaye, Irún
• From Toulouse: A64 Toulouse – Bayonne (exit no.12 Tarbes Ouest) ; RN 21
• From Bordeaux: A65 Bordeaux – Pau ; D932 – RN 21

Restaurants: Around a hundred restaurants (local and international cuisine) Accommodation: 183 hotels (22,129 beds), 9 tourist hostels, 12 campsites, furnished rentals and gîtes, group lodgings

Visiting the city:

• The castle and its Pyrenean Museum
• The Pic du Jer and its funicular
• “In the Footsteps of Bernadette”: places of significance during her life

Visiting the shrine:

• Sanctuaries of Our Lady of Lourdes open all year round, 24 hours a day - Free admission
• From April to October: 22 places of worship, masses in all languages. Torchlight procession, international masses
• From November to March: numerous celebrations every day

Literature:

• Business Guide on USB stick (FR, EN, ES) and on our business website: www.lourdes-infotourisme.com
• “Pro area” Press kit (FR, EN, ES)
• Website (8 languages): www.lourdes-infotourisme.com

Special Events

• Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (February 11)
• Lourdes Festival of Music (March 31 to April 6)
• Order of Malta pilgrimage (May 4-7)
• Diaconia French Pilgrimage (May 8-11)
• International Military Pilgrimage (May 24-26)
• Assumption of Mary (August 15)
• Rosary Pilgrimage (October 1-5)
• Visit Lourdes (External link)
• Contact (External link)
• FACEBOOK - Lourdes Tourism (External link)
• TWITTER - Lourdes Tourism (External link)
• FLICKR - Lourdes Tourism (External link)

Lourdes 

Starry-eyed in the Cévennes

Cycling for all!

4 days cycling (and in an armchair) on the Canal des Deux-Mers with Myriam and Pierre

la vie en rose

Toulouse, a rugby destination open to all!

What to do in the Lot, Aveyron and Lozère ?

The latest floral eau de parfum, Miss Dior, is sublime for the senses.

Dior, heaven scent

Cycling on the mythical route des cols in the Pyrenees

A Summer in Le Havre

Until September 15

Paris Design Week

Until September 14

Roland-Garros-turneringen, French Open

Until June 9

The Voyage à Nantes art festival

Until September 8

Lourdes Tourist Office

• Prepare your stay
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For unique experiences

Lourdes seen from above

A path for everyone

Highlights in Lourdes

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Brume matinale sur le vignoble du Jurançon 😍 et les Pyrénées en toile de fond #orthez #monein #pau #jurançon #oloron #tarbes #lourdes #bayonne #dax #bearn #bearnpyrenees #pyreneesatlantiques #nouvelleaquitaine #vignoble #jurançon #paysage #pyrenees

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Welcome to the Sanctuary Notre-Dame of Lourdes 

• Passing th...

Passing through the Grotto

The Grotto of the apparitions is the heart of the Sanctuary. The spring and the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes within it are the centre of attention of all the pilgrims. The Grotto, by itself, says much about the Message of Lourdes. A hollow in the rock, it echoes the words of the Bible: “The Lord is my rock, my salvation, my citadel” (Psalm 62:7). The rock is black and the sun never penetrates the Grotto, in contrast with the Apparition (the Virgin Mary, the Immaculate Conception), who is only light and smiling radiantly. The niche where the statue is placed marks the place where the Virgin Mary most often stood: it is like a window that opens onto the kingdom of God from this obscure world.

The Grotto is a place of prayer, hope, peace, respect, unity and silence. When passing through the Grotto or standing in front of it, each person has his or her own personal understanding of what it means.

Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI both came to pray at this Grotto.

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75% DE VOTRE DON POUR LE SANCTUAIRE DE LOURDES SONT DÉDUCTIBLES DE VOS IMPÔTS* dans la limite de 554 euros par an.

* Rehaussement de la réduction d’impôt pour les dons effectués au profit des associations cultuelles entre le 2 juin 2021 et le 31 décembre 2022 : vote définitif de la mesure dans la loi de finance rectificative n° 2021-953 du 19 juillet 2021. L’article 18 prévoit que le taux de la réduction d’impôt prévue au 1 de l’article 200 du code général des impôts est porté à 75 % pour les dons et versements, y compris l’abandon exprès de revenus ou produits, effectués entre le 2 juin 2021 et le 31 décembre 2022, au profit d’associations cultuelles ou d’établissements publics des cultes reconnus d’Alsace-Moselle. Les versements réalisés en 2021 sont retenus dans la limite de 554 euros. Pour les versements réalisés en 2022, cette limite est relevée dans la même proportion que la limite supérieure de la première tranche du barème de l’impôt sur le revenu de l’année 2021. Le montant obtenu est arrondi, s’il y a lieu, à l’euro supérieur. Il n’est pas tenu compte de ces versements pour l’application de la limite de 20 % du revenu imposable. Précision : ce plafond de 554€ est bien distinct de celui dit “amendement Coluche” qui permet de bénéficier d’une réduction à 75% pour certaines associations caritatives et humanitaires dites « organismes d’aide aux personnes en difficulté ». Il est bien possible de cumuler ces deux avantages.

How to Get to Lourdes, France

Bernadette Soubirous was 14 years old when the Virgin Mary first started appearing to her in 1858. It happened a total of 18 times; Bernadette became a saint, and the apparition came to be called Our Lady of Lourdes , named after the small town where all this went down. Today, millions of visitors make the pilgrimage each year to this village in the Pyrénées mountains, in southwest France, to pay homage and pray to Our Lady of Lourdes. There are many religious-themed tours that can take you there, but it’s quite simple to get to on your own – and it’s in a gorgeous part of France that otherwise is not frequented by tourists. Here’s how you do it.

Getting to Lourdes by Train

There are several trains per day to and from Paris. The trick, though, is choosing the right one. The TGV (super-fast rail network) will get you there in about 5.5 hours, while the slower Lunea line takes well over eight hours. And often, the TGV is cheaper. Do your homework, and get the faster train for less money. That’s pretty much a no-brainer.

Getting to Lourdes by Plane

The Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport is the closest, and a majority of their arrivals are Catholics coming to visit Lourdes. You can fly Ryanair from London-Stansted and Milan-Bergamo, Air France from Paris-Orly and Lyon, TNT Airways from Brussels and Meridiana Fly from Rome-Fiumicino. The other airport is the Pau Pyrénées Airport , with Air France flights from Paris-Orly and and Paris-Charles de Gaulle, as well as CityJet seasonal flights from Amsterdam and Dublin and Flybe seasonal flights from Southampton, UK.

Getting to Lourdes by Car

I’ve said it a million times on this site, and I’ll say it again – take the train. But if you want to rent a car in France and check out other locations as well – or if you’re just a fan of winding mountainous roads – then by all means, drive to your heart’s content. From Paris you want to take L’Autoroute du Soleil out of Paris (A6b/A10/Bordeaux/Nantes/Lyon/Evry) onto the A10/E05/E50 toward Orléans/Nantes/Bordeaux/Palaiseau, then the A20/E09 toward Toulouse/Limoges/Chãteauroux/Vierzon-Centre, then the A62/E72/Toulouse/Agen/Bordeaux, then the A64/E09 toward Foix/Tarbes/Lourdes/Saint-Sébastien, and finally the N21 heading to Lourdes/Juillan. In other words: take the train.

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How much time is needed to visit Lourdes? - Lourdes Forum

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How much time is needed to visit Lourdes?

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I think you need to choose somewhere closer to Paris.

I obviously did not get the SNCF site to search sufficiently early in the day!

I have not visited Lourdes myself but, from guide book descriptions, I would think you would have enough time to see the major religious sites.

This post has been removed at the author's request.

I have never been to Lourdes and I am just anxious that I will miss out on important places if time is of a constraint. Anybody who has been there, can pls advise me if 5 hours is good to visit entire Lourdes? Thank you

Bearing in mind that there are no processions now until April 2009 (except for a few feast days) and that most of the Cafes and shops will be closed after the end of the Jubilee Year on 8th Dec then 5 hours should be ample time to visit the Grotto and the Baths.

Lourdes in winter is very different from Lourdes in summer - more time for quiet meditation but less chance to see the message of Lourdes in action.

I would also suggest taking the night train if you want to go to the baths as they will only be open for an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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