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Sanctuary of Lourdes

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Eric Martin

Destination Lourdes

History, spirituality and the gateway to the Pyrenees
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  4. Visiting Lourdes and the surrounding area

A spiritual symbol, over the years Lourdes has become one of the largest pilgrimage sites in the world, following the 18 apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous. A small mountain town steeped in history, Lourdes boasts a number of emblematic heritage sites, including the Château Fort, now the Musée Pyrénéen. The surrounding mountains and valleys are ideal for hiking, mountain biking and even water sports at Lac de Bourges, just a few kilometres away.

faith

A land of faith and contemplation

A major pilgrimage site

In 1858, the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous forever changed the destiny of Lourdes, which became one of the largest Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world. Today, believers and visitors from all walks of life come to the grotto of Massabielle to meditate, drink from the spring and soak up the unique atmosphere of the sanctuary.

All year round, the site comes alive with processions, masses and celebrations that bring together cosmopolitan crowds in a spirit of sharing and meditation.

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Lourdes

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HPTE - Eric Martin Le Figaro Mag

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The torchlight procession at Lourdes.

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Eric Martin

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Lourdes

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HPTE - Eric Martin Le Figaro Mag

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The torchlight procession at Lourdes.

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Eric Martin

    Don’t miss

    • The sanctuary and its three basilicas with their remarkable architecture.
    • The torch-lit procession, an emotional experience (April to October).
    • The shrine’s pools, where pilgrims come to plunge into the water of the grotto.
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    Torchlight procession, Lourdes

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    Eric Martin

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    Lourdes

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    HPTE - Eric Martin Le Figaro Mag

      history

      At the crossroads of history and culture

      The fortified castle and its Pyrenean museum

      Impossible to miss! Perched on a rocky spur, this thousand-year-old castle overlooks Lourdes and houses the Pyrenean Museum. Here, models, traditional objects and exhibitions plunge you into the history of the valleys and mountain peoples. From the ramparts, the panorama takes in the city and the foothills of the Pyrenees.

      Don’t miss

      • The botanical garden, nestling in the heart of the château.
      • The collections ofpopulararts and traditions.
      • The 360° panoramic view of Lourdes and the surrounding mountains.
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      The fortified castle of Lourdes

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      Typograpik

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        Lake Lourdes, beginning (or end) of the Henri IV trail Hpte Ot Lourdes Pierre Vincent

          Lake Lourdes

          Nature and relaxation

          Nestling in an ancient glacial moraine, this peaceful 50-hectare lake invites you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the sanctuary.

          Whether you’re hiking, stand-up paddling, golfing or just enjoying a picnic with the family, there’s something for everyone here.

          Woodpecker

          The Pic du Jer

          The outdoor version of Lourdes

          Mountain bike enthusiasts also make a pilgrimage… to the Pic du Jer! The site has hosted the World Cup several times and is a must-see playground for thrill-seeking riders.

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          Mountain biking at Pic du Jer, Lourdes

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          Pierre Vincent

          But you don’t have to be an experienced mountain biker to enjoy it: a century-old funicular climbs to an altitude of 948 m in 15 minutes. At the top, the view stretches from the Pyrenees to the plain of Tarbes.

          The limestone caves and surrounding area can also be explored on signposted footpaths.

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          Unspoilt nature

          on the outskirts of Lourdes
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          Saint Pé De Bigorre

          Saint-Pé-de-Bigorreand the Pibeste forest

          A few kilometres from Lourdes, a dense and mysterious forest borders the village of Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre. A sanctuary for wildlife, the Pibeste-Aoulhet Regional Nature Reserve stretches across its heights, where isards, birds of prey and deer roam freely.

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          The Caves of Betharram by boat

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          Anthony Bonal

          The caves of Bétharrama journey underground

          The Lourdes grotto may be famous beyond its borders, but the Bétharram grotto is an astonishing underground maze sculpted by time! This labyrinth takes you into an enchanted world of stalactites and stalagmites, to be explored on foot, in a boat and even on a little train!

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          Castelloubon Valley

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          M Louit

          Castelloubona timeless valley

          Discreet and authentic, this little-known valley offers a haven of serenity just 10 minutes from Lourdes. There are no major tourist attractions here, just picturesque villages and unspoilt landscapes, where pastoralism still sets the pace for mountain life.

          • Not to be missed near Castelloublon

            Thechurch of Saint-Jacques in Ourdis-Cotdoussan is a listed historic monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its magnificent altarpiece alone is well worth a visit.

          Holidays

          Your holidays in Lourdes

          All-inclusive holidays

          The best of the Pyrenees
          Itinerary through the magnificent sites of the Pyrenees
          from825 €per person
          Family Trip
          Adventure and discovery road trip in the Pyrenees
          from3569 €per family
          Family Trip with young children
          Family road trip in the Pyrenees
          from2192 €per family
          Focus on...

          The sanctuaries of Lourdes

          a timeless place
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          Basilica Sanctuary, Lourdes

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          OT Lourdes

            For more than 160 years, the sanctuaries of Lourdes have brought pilgrims together in a unique atmosphere of emotion and contemplation.
            Around the Massabielle grotto, where Bernadette Soubirous is said to have seen the Virgin Mary in 1858, stand threebasilicas of remarkable architecture, including the underground Basilica of Saint Pius X, which can accommodate up to 25,000 pilgrims. The site also features vast esplanades and a monumental Way of the Cross.

            Whether you come here as a pilgrim, in search of meaning or simply out of curiosity, the atmosphere here makes a lasting impression. Between whispered prayers, torch-lit processions and moments of meditation, Lourdes vibrates with a timeless fervour that permeates every stone of the sanctuary.

            Every year, thousands of visitors come to discover the 22 places of worship of the Notre Dame de Lourdes shrines.

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