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Commune in Occitania, France
Photo: Père Igor, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Lourdes is a town in the Hautes-Pyrénées of France. It is a global centre of Marian pilgrimage, receiving hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Many Catholics believe that the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, appeared 18 times at the Grotto to a young girl, Saint Bernadette Soubirous. Lourdes has grown a sleepy market town on the road to the spas of the Pyrenees into the largest Marian pilgrimage centre in the world. The town has two sections: the international portion by the river, consisting of the spiritual area containing the Grotto and churches (known as the Domaine or the Sanctuaries), and the "French" portion, centred around the marketplace & Hotel de Ville.
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The largest church of the compound, with a spire 70 m tall. Above the entrance is a mosaic depicting Pope Pius IX, who defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854. The clock plays the Ave Maria hourly, and chimes the hours with a 2-tonne bell called Jeanne-Alphonsine.
A Byzantine style church finished in 1899. The nave, surmounted by a dome, contains the fifteen decades of the traditional Rosary. Surrounding the nave are each of the traditional mysteries of the Rosary (from left to right, Joyful, Glorious, and Sorrowful mysteries), each featuring a mosaic incorporated with smaller images of related themes and Latin scripts. A mosaic of Mary, whose appearance is based on Bernadette's depiction, can be seen in the upper wall of the sanctuary and written Par Marie a Jesus which means "From Mary to Jesus".
A basilica almost entirely underground, with a capacity of 25,000 people, and usually used for major events and notably, the International Mass (see Do). On the walls are 52 images in the gemmail style of overlapping stained glass. On the west ramp are the 15 traditional Mysteries of the Rosary, and on the east ramp are the 15 Stations of the Cross, designed by Denys de Solère. On the lower part of the east side is the series "Bernadette's Way of Light", based on sketches by René Margotton, which depict the eighteen apparitions together with two scenes from her life. There are two further images, one on each side of the entrance to the sacristy.
The most modern church, across the river from the basilicas. It was built on the exact spot where Bernadette stood during the final apparition.
Down the large basilica is where Bernadette saw Mary, and out comes the spring water. People young and old, healthy and sick, flock from around the world to drink or wash with the miraculous water, or obtain the water for their keepsakes. You are asked to be respectful, however, to the people praying for their wishes to come true, by not speaking.
A thousand-year-old castle at the tallest hill within the town, offering magnificent views of the valley and informative objects that tell the story of Lourdes and the Pyrenees settlers.
Discover the life size wax figures. Learn about the story of St Bernadette's and Jesus Christ.
Set foot at the highest viewing point of Lourdes by traveling up using a funicular. Then explore a 20,000-year-old cave that is 360 m long, and finally take a descent from the peak on foot, by a mountain bike available for rent, or again using the funicular.
Fill up a container with spring water that Bernadette dug during the apparation of Mary. Your patience will be tested as the water drops slowly and you have to touch the tap multiple times to keep it on. While it doesn't have any minerals unique to other springs, people are reported to be healed both physically and spiritually with its water, which is why those visiting bring this memento to their loved ones who cannot make the pilgrimage. There is also a water fountain behind the taps if you wish to drink it directly or to also fill up your container, but they also have low pressure.
Held in six languages (English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Dutch) simultaneously. Arrive early to get a seat. One wonderful experience is to arrive about 90 minutes early to be part of the choir (open to anyone who arrives early to rehearse). You get to sing with people of all 6 languages and have an excellent view of the Mass.
Light a candle and participate in a bright night full of prayers. Pilgrims will recite the Rosary mysteries depending on the day in various languages and singing Ave Maria that tells the apparition stories while marching behind a statue of Mary. You are also invited to say your own intentions in between prayers and get to know fellow pilgrims. The procession starts from the front of the Basilica.
Partake in one of Lourdes' infamous rituals where you will feel the spring water gushing from the ground that Bernadette dug. While the original custom invites you to bathe, the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the use of its water to wash your face, your hands, and drink from your palms. Regardless of that, line up early before opening time to secure a place.
A breathtaking blue lake with wonderful views of green forest and mountains. Popular with the local population for partaking in water sports and fishing.
An 18-hole par 72 golf course by Lake Lourdes with views of the Pyrénées.
A mountain resort with ski slopes, snowshoeing, and sled rides during the winter. In summer, treat yourself to downslope rides using bikes or electric scooters. All year round, go down the slope with a luge or watch the starry skies in the observatory.
An interesting place with a motor theme and American life. Warm welcome. The pizzas are very good. The waiters are pleasant and efficient.
Authentic, friendly. The momos are excellent. Traditional salted butter tea to be discovered. Great little restaurant. Great Tibetan cuisine.
Very friendly welcome. Simple and delicious cuisine in a natural setting. The welcome is friendly. The cooking of burgers and the leg of lamb is perfect. Home made fries.
Super friendly service. It's delicious and the staff are impeccable. Real Italian cuisine. Warm atmosphere.
Excellent at service and atmosphere. Generous and excellent pizzas with homemade dough and top quality toppings. Super nice owners. Very friendly family atmosphere.
Excellent pizzas, a warm atmosphere, a cocoon of good humor. A simple and hearty cuisine. They have menus is a lot of languages.
Very nice family atmosphere. Pretty tasty home made pizza. Nice and smiling people.
A popular Italian pizzeria that also offers other classic Italian fares. Owner often personally greets customer or otherwise baking the pizzas. Especially busy at dinnertime. Staff are friendly.
This small family-run restaurant specializes in local delicacies and has an intimate atmosphere.
Restaurant offering dishes from the Basque area, including duck, steak, and squid as specialties.
Though the name says the namesake American city (and it speaks from the design), the food is ostensibly European. Dishes include sandwiches, pastries, soups and salads. For something more filling, opt in for the paella, pizza, or lasagna. Alcoholic drinks also offered.
European comfort food and snacks, with a seemingly extensive pub and drinks ranging from wine to beer.
A modest family-run hotel near the train station with rooms overlooking the Pyrenees. Breakfast available for a fee. Near some of the cheapest places to eat in town.
A big hotel only a short walk from the Lourdes shrine. Rooms range from singles to families with interconnected doors. Cavernous dining rooms with breakfast buffets and all-day Mediterranean offers. The friendly staff are proficient in English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.
The local merchant market that sells fresh produce and an opportunity for savoring some French snacks.
By car
Lourdes is about 9 hours from Paris via Toulouse and the A64. Lourdes is easily accessed by car, although the narrow streets around the holy sites can become quite congested at weekends and holy days.
By train
Several trains travel to Lourdes, including TGV & night train service from Paris (six and nine hours respectively) and Tarbes in addition to intercity trains from Pau, Bayonne/Biarritz, and Toulouse.
By coach
Organized tour groups from all around the world may have dedicated coaches (and even priests as tour guides) that take them to town.
By plane
The nearest airport is Tarbes-Lourdes (LDE), approximately twenty minutes' drive from the town itself. Air France and its low-cost subsidiary HOP!
By minivan
Orientation
The Gave de Pau river splits the city into two. The east are where most of the shops and hotels are. The west part contains the Sanctuary complex and a number of high-end hotels a short walk away.
On foot
Lourdes is a pedestrian-friendly city with several pedestrian only streets and it is very easy to get around the town centre. It really is worth walking and exploring.
By car
Lourdes has a complicated one-way street system around town and, because many streets are pedestrian only, it can be confusing and time-consuming getting around town.
By bus
Lourdes has 5 bus lines that connect the center with the suburbs. Routes L4 and L5 are useful for travel within the old town and the Lourdes Sanctuary Complex.
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Tarbes/Lourdes/Pyrénées · Regional · LDE
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