Lourdes
- Address:Boulevard Pere Remy Sempe, Lourdes
- Hours:Open daily 5:30am - 12am, but access is always available via the zigzag path opposite the Chaplain's Residence
- Admission:Free (donations accepted)
The home of Saint Bernadette, Lourdes is one of the most famous towns in France and amongst the most popular places of pilgrimage on the planet.
The town was put on the map in 1858, when 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous witnessed a series of 18 visions of the Virgin Mary in a Lourdes grotto.
A huge religious complex has sprung up around the site of the grotto, and visitors come to Lourdes in the millions every year, seeking cures and inspiration.
Sites to visit on a trip to Lourdes include the Miraculous Cave itself, its walls worn smooth by the hands of pilgrims, as well as Bernadette’s birthplace and family homes.
While you're here, take in stupendous views over Lourdes and the surrounding Pyrenees from the summit of Pic du Jer (948 meters/3,109 feet), accessible by funicular.
Latest Reviews All Lourdes Reviews »
We were told we had to call 24 days before our tour to confirm. We tried calling many times, on different days and never got through from the U.S and from Paris. We had to physically go to the office once we arrived in Paris to confirm our tour. We were also told that someone would be picking us up at the train station in Lourdes and taking us to our hotel. No one was there to pick us up. We waited about 30 minutes to see if someone was coming. Fortunately we had the extra money to pay for a taxi to our hotel. We were not told until the day we were to leave for our tour, when our return time would be, which was quite late, 11:30 pm. The Itinerary only said we would be leaving in the afternoon.The train and hotel was nice and so was the independent tour, but it would have been nice to be given map of the area. Maybe the person who never showed up to take us to our hotel had that?
Continue Reading »Practical Info
Lourdes is 175 kilometers (108 miles) west of Toulouse, in the neighboring Pyrenees region. Regular trains run between the two cities, taking just under 2 hours one way.
The Sanctuary of Notre Dame of Lourdes is on the left bank of the River Pau, on the opposite side of the river from the train station.
Do you have photos of this attraction? Be the first to share your photos with other travelers!
