Lourdes

Where the world comes together

Advised by Nathalie , Holiday planner

Cosmopolitan, magical and mythical… Lourdes is one of those extraordinary other worldly places. Each year more than 6 million visitors from more than 140 countries visit Lourdes. It was in 1858 in this small mountain town that a young girl called Bernadette saw 18 separate apparitions of the Virgin Mary in a cave close to the river. It is the second most visited town in France after Paris, but Lourdes possesses a calm and tranquillity to offer a place of prayer, charm and legend which leaves nobody insensitive.

To discover in Lourdes

The sanctuaries: In 1857 the Virgin Mary made 18 apparitions to Bernadette Soubirous, at the Massabielle grotto. Since then the sanctuaries have received millions of visitors of all nationalities and all faiths. This «Universal» site is accessible 24h / 24h and throughout the year welcomes visitors from the world over. Things to see : the Massabielle Grotto, the Basilica (Immaculate Conception, the underground Basilica Pius 10th, Our Lady of the Rosary, in the form of a cross), the crypt, the St Bernadette church, the Adoration tent, the Reconciliation Chapel and the exterior stations of the cross.
Not to be missed is the torchlight procession which takes place every evening at 9pm from April to October.

A Visit to the Castle. Classed as a historical monument, it played a major part in Lourdes history during the 11th and 12th centuries. Since 1921 it houses a Pyreneam museum, one of the 'Museums de France', it possesses one of the most important collections on the history of the French and Spanish Pyrenees (costumes, furniture, rituals, agriculture, pastoralism, artisans...).
The + are the wonderful botanical gardens on its terrace.

The Pic du Jer funicular railway. Easily recognised by the cross at the summit, the Pic du Jer towers over the town of Lourdes and offers a magnificent panorama over the Pyrenees.
The +: Access is by funicular railway, the summit which is at 1000m of altitude is then easily reached in just a few minutes.

Practical informations

The sanctuaries are open 24h/24h April to October. Torchlight processions every night at 9pm.