The torchlight procession at Lourdes.
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Lourdes
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The Sanctuaries of Lourdes
Spiritual experienceheavy
The sanctuary of Lourdes
In 1858, the Virgin Mary appeared 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous at the Grotte Massabielle. Since then, the shrine has received millions of visitors of all nationalities and faiths. This “universal” site, accessible 24 hours a day, welcomes visitors all year round.
A spiritual Mecca
The Sanctuaries of Notre Dame de Lourdes include 22 places of worship spread over more than 52 hectares.
These include the Massabielle Grotto, the basilicas (Immaculate Conception, the underground basilica of Saint Pius X, Our Lady of the Rosary in the form of a Greek cross), the crypt, the church of Saint Bernadette, the tent of adoration, the chapel of reconciliation and the outdoor Way of the Cross.
Every evening from April to October, at 9pm, the Marian Torchlight Procession takes place in the Grotto of the Apparitions. The statue of Our Lady of Lourdes is carried in procession through the Sanctuary, with everyone asking her to watch over their families and loved ones.
Sites
Must-see sites
the Sanctuaries
Lourdes
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The Grotto of Massabielle
On 11 February 1858, the young Bernadette Soubirous set off in search of dead wood before arriving at the rock of Massabielle, where she perceived her very first apparition of the Virgin at the entrance to the grotto, followed by 17 others. Today, pilgrims from all over the world visit the Grotto of the Apparitions, which is protected as a Historic Monument.
A visit to the grotto takes place in silence, and visitors can touch the walls of the grotto with a blessed candle in memory of Bernadette’s gesture at the time of the first apparitions. It is also important for them to make the gesture of water, by drinking the water that flows in the Grotto’s spring from the fountains and collecting it in small flasks. According to the Church, 5 miraculous cures took place during the period of the Virgin’s apparitions.
A Carrara marble statue of the Virgin was erected and placed in a secondary cavity in the rock, known as the niche of the apparitions.
The Grotto is a place of meditation, prayer and peace, where Mass is celebrated every day.
The Basilicas of Lourdes
Following the Apparitions of the Virgin Mary, several buildings were erected within the Sanctuary, including 3 basilicas.
The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, blessed in 1871, is the oldest in the Notre Dame de Lourdes Shrine. Once inside, look up and you’ll see an explosion of colour in the stained glass windows, resplendent in the daylight. They retrace the history of the Virgin Mary up to the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary is the finishing touch to the architectural ensemble that now characterises the Sanctuary site. Shaped like a Greek cross and built in the Romanesque-Byzantine style, its 2,000m² are made up of mosaic chapels designed by Venetian craftsmen.
The Basilica of Saint Pius X is located underground, with its atypical architecture and the shape of an inverted ship’s hull. A case of raw concrete, it can hold up to 25,000 people (more than the population of Lourdes), making it the largest shrine in the world.
Lourdes 2602 ® Hpte Eric Martin 12.11.2029 1
Lourdes
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stays
Our selection of holidays
sanctuaries
Exploring the sanctuaries
and surrounding areas
The Way of Bernadettehistorical journey
The trail in Bernadette’s footsteps retraces the story of her life in Lourdes, visiting places that were close to her heart, such as the Moulin de Boly and the Hospice where she went to school.
The torchlight processionrekindle your faith
From April to October, pilgrims take part in the Marian Procession with Torches. During the winter, the traditional processions are replaced by rosaries with torches.
The LOURDES PYRENEES CITY CARD tourist pass lets you discover the must-see sites and activities in Lourdes and the Pyrenean valleys at a reduced price!
4 formulas (24H, 48H, 3 or 5 days) are available to save on your holiday budget, including transport costs, as the tourist train, city buses and LIO buses to the Pyrenean Grands Sites are all included.
On sale at the Lourdes Tourist Office or on the website :
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Where can I leave a candle at the Sanctuary?
Pilgrims can light a candle in the Chapelles de Lumière, opposite the Grotto, to entrust their intentions to the Virgin.
- When and where is Mass celebrated at the Shrine?
Mass is celebrated every day at all hours in the Shrine’s various places of worship. An International Mass is celebrated on Sundays and Wednesday mornings from 25 March to 1 November in the underground Basilica of St Pius X.
- How can you make the experience fun for the whole family?
La Petite Maison Bernadette is a children’s and family centre offering fun activities to teach youngsters about the history of Lourdes and Saint Bernadette.
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