The Sanctuary of Lourdes

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The Sanctuary of Lourdes - Grand Site Occitanie and an important spiritual centre of global renown

Discover the Pyrenean village which became one of the greatest places of pilgrimage in the world following the apparitions by the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.

Visit the Sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Lourdes : the 52 hectare estate is open every day.
Walk past the Grotto of Apparitions, also called the Massabielle Grotto, then admire the 3 basilicas : Immaculate Conception, Notre-Dame du Rosaire and Saint-Pius : this last is built entirely underground and is below the water-level of the Gave de Pau river. The unique atmosphere is charged with emotion and fervour. Lourdes brings together men and women of different cultures and languages from around the world.
From April to October, take part in the Torchlight Procession, one of the most moving events at Lourdes.
« In the footsteps of Bernadette » is a spiritual discovery trail around Lourdes visiting the Musée Sainte-Bernadette, Moulin de Bly where Sainte-Bernadette was born, the ‘cachot’ where she lived with her parents at the time of the apparitions, the parish church where she was baptised, the Presbytery where she spoke to Father Peyramale and the Hospice Sainte-Bernadette where she went to school.

What to see and do in Lourdes?

Vacances à Lourdes — Have a walk around the town then take the little tourist train up to the castle and its Musée Pyrénéen.
Take a short, charming ride on the funicular railway almost to the top of Pic du Jer overlooking the town. This 900m hill is topped by a huge cross which is illuminated at night.
On arrival at the upper station, a short walk leads to the top and an amazing 360° panorama over Lourdes, Tarbes, Pau, the Valley of Argelès-Gazost and the Pyrenees.
Leisure activities include an 18-hole golf course, mountain biking on the Pic du Jer (the town hosts international mountain biking competitions) and an aquatic complex. Lac de Lourdes and the surrounding area have wonderful fishing spots in beautiful, unspoilt scenery.
There are plenty of family-friendly paths to go along on foot, by bike or on horseback, strolling or jogging, for example around the lake or along the Voie Verte des Gaves… there’s something for everyone !

How to get to Lourdes ?

By road : A65 autoroute Bordeaux-Pau – A64 autoroute Toulouse-Bayonne- exit Tarbes Ouest (A645/N° 12) or Soumoulou (A64/N° 11)
By air : Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées international airport is 10km from Lourdes, 10 minutes from town centre. Direct access via A64 (exit n°12 Tarbes-Ouest), then RN 21.
Totally rebuilt in 1999, Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées airport has excellent facilities for disabled passengers and those with reduced mobility. It has connections to the major European hubs via 50 airlines.
By rail : to Lourdes
Discover other destinations in Hautes-Pyrénées : the Cirque de Gavarnie and the Pic du Midi for lovers of wide open spaces and walking.