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About Lourdes

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Situated in the French Pyrenees, Lourdes is one of the world’s most important places of Christian pilgrimage. Since an apparition of the Virgin Mary was spotted here in 1858, the city now attracts over five million tourists every year. Visitors can take part in Lourdes’ Christian processions and baptisms, as well as visit famous landmarks like the Sanctuary of our Lady of Lourdes, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Basilica of Saint Pius and the Grotto of Massabielle.

While Lourdes main draw is its religious landmarks and spiritual walking tours, the town itself offers many other attractions, including the Pyrenean Museum and the Wax Museum, where you can see waxworks of important religious figures. The town centre also boasts a selection of contemporary restaurants and cafés serving modern French cuisine. After lunch by the river, go for a hike around the trails in the Pyrenees and forests of Bois de Lourdes or set up camp on the shores of the Lourdes Lake. For views of the city and Château Fort, make sure to ride the funicular from Pic de Jur.

Visitors to Lourdes can find relatively cheap flights direct to the city from London, Paris and other European cities. Alternatively, coach travel is normally the chosen method of transport for religious pilgrimages, offering the chance to appreciate views of the French countryside and Pyrenees along the way.

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Most popular time to visit October-December
Cheapest time to visit January-March
Local currency € 1 = $1.13
Language French
Average weekend price $84 per night
Average weekday price $89 per night
Average stay 2 nights

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Lourdes reviews

What other travelers say about Lourdes

10

Lourdes is such a peaceful place, it is beautiful to look at.

May 20, 2025

Lourdes is such a peaceful place, it is beautiful to look at. Even if you weren't Catholic, the little french village is picturesque. There is a lovely nightlife there aswell to celebrate the days you've spent there

Ciara
Ciara Ireland
10

Lourdes is a special place of Pilgrimage for followers of...

May 18, 2025

Lourdes is a special place of Pilgrimage for followers of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernadette, it is the second most visited place in France after Paris and that speaks for itself. As well as a visit to the Grotto and Basilica and locations associated with St Bernadette, there are superb walks/bicycle paths along the River Gave and in the Pyrenees themselves. My favourite trip while there is to take the funicular railway up the Pic de Jer, have a helicopter view of lourdes from the summit and then walk back down off the mountain via a winding trail and even more panoramic views. its really a surprising place, there are plenty of eateries, pubs and local historic places to visit.

Frank
Frank Ireland
10

If you come to Lourdes to pray, I suggest you visit on May...

May 15, 2025

If you come to Lourdes to pray, I suggest you visit on May or October, when they have torchlight at night. For me, it was an amazing spiritual journey. Allow 2 nights staying here, so you can explore the Grotto, The chapels, St Bernadette's House, looking for lots of souvenirs. Try some Italian food and coffee.

Monica Suparta
Monica Suparta Indonesia
10

We all need some tranquility and healing nowadays in this...

April 27, 2025

We all need some tranquility and healing nowadays in this busy world. Lourdes is just the place for me, where I find closer to God through prayers, through watching people from all over the world to come and seek for comfort from our Lady Virgin Mary, and through the hospitality of the people who work or volunteer here. It’s an oasis for you if you also want to find the true meaning of life and see the good nature of human beings.

Jessie Szu Wan
Jessie Szu Wan United Kingdom
10

The Domain is beautiful and it restores your faith in human...

April 14, 2025

The Domain is beautiful and it restores your faith in human nature to see all the volunteers helping disabled people. It has a magical atmosphere a very very special place. The town itself is overloaded with souvenir shops of course. What really upset me this time and this is my sixth visit was beggars sitting in the streets with dogs. It was very hot and cruel to the dogs no bowls of water even. Women approached you begging outside the shops too. This should be stopped it totally spoils the busy bustling town shopping areas. But an absolutely stunning place and atmosphere in the Domain. Mass said in every language. Facilities for getting holy water and lighting candles. The way of the cross is awesome. As you will appreciate my sixth visit I am so blessed to have been able to go again.

PATRICIA
PATRICIA United Kingdom
10

thats the place of the answears, love and faith.

December 20, 2024

thats the place of the answears, love and faith. thats is realy special organization of the city of plenty piligrims. and the most of visiters bielives in a mirracle. Thats the great atmosphere of human realizations. Desciples of Saint Maria

Freedom
Freedom

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