Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
The spiritual heart of the town featuring the miraculous grotto, basilicas, and healing baths where pilgrims seek spiritual and physical healing.
Read MoreNestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees in southwestern France, Lourdes is a world-renowned spiritual sanctuary that welcomes millions of pilgrims annually. This small town became famous after the Virgin Mary's apparitions to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.
The spiritual heart of the town featuring the miraculous grotto, basilicas, and healing baths where pilgrims seek spiritual and physical healing.
Read MoreA medieval fortress offering panoramic views of the town and mountains, housing a museum with regional artifacts.
Read MoreAccessible by funicular, this mountain peak provides breathtaking views of Lourdes and the Pyrenean range.
Read MoreAn impressive lower basilica featuring stunning Byzantine-inspired mosaics depicting the mysteries of the Rosary.
Read MoreThe upper basilica, recognizable by its spire, offers a magnificent Gothic Revival architecture.
Read MoreThe modest home where St. Bernadette was born, now preserved as a museum.
Read MoreThe former prison where Bernadette's family lived in poverty at the time of the apparitions.
Read MoreExperience the evening torchlight procession, participate in healing bath rituals, explore hiking trails in the nearby Pyrenees, join guided spiritual tours, or take scenic drives to surrounding mountain villages and natural wonders.
Lourdes is known for religious souvenirs including Marian statues, rosary beads, and containers for Lourdes water. Look for authentic local crafts, Pyrenean honey, and regional wines. Avoid mass-produced items from unauthorized vendors outside the sanctuary.
Savor traditional Pyrenean cuisine at local restaurants featuring specialties like garbure (vegetable soup) and confit de canard. The town is relatively quiet in the evenings with most activities centered around religious ceremonies rather than entertainment. Visitors should respect the town's spiritual atmosphere.