Visiting Lourdes, France - A Catholic Pilgrimage Guide

Walking in the Footsteps of St. Bernadette Soubirous

The Story of Lourdes

Nestled in the serene foothills of the Pyrenees mountains, Lourdes is more than just a picturesque French small town. It is one of the most beloved catholic pilgrimage site in the world.

It was here, in 1858, that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared 18 times to a humble shepherd girl, Saint Bernadette Soubirous, at the Grotto of Massabielle. What began as a quiet, personal encounter with Our Lady grew into a global invitation to prayer, healing, and conversion.

A small side chapel in Lourdes, France with a mosaic art of the Annunciation behind the altar — Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary Side Chapel

The 18 Apparitions – Our Lady’s Messages

Between February 11 and July 16, 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared 18 times to 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous at the Grotto of Massabielle. Clothed in white with a blue sash and golden roses at her feet, she revealed her identity on the Feast of the Annunciation, declaring: “I am the Immaculate Conception.”

This statement was profoundly significant, as only four years earlier, Pope Pius IX had solemnly defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, teaching that Mary was preserved from the stain of original sin from the very moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race.

Mary’s self-identification at Lourdes was the ultimate confirmation from heaven of the dogma proclaimed by the Church in 1854. What made this even more remarkable was that St. Bernadette, being uneducated and unfamiliar with theological language, could not have fabricated this statement. This astonished the local clergy and contributed to the credibility of the apparitions.

Getting to Lourdes: By Plane, Train, or Car

A road leading to the moutainous village of Lourdes, France with buildings and houses along the bottom and grassy hills in the backdrop — The Quaint Town of Lourdes, France

Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary with its three towers towering into the sky with the sun setting behind it on a cloudy day

As a major Catholic pilgrimage site, Lourdes is well-connected. If you’re flying internationally, the quickest option is to land at Tarbes–Lourdes–Pyrénées Airport (LDE), just 15 minutes by car from the Sanctuary, with direct flights from cities like Paris, London, Dublin, and Milan. Alternatively, Toulouse airport is within a 2-hour drive or train ride.

If you’re already in France, the high-speed TGV train from Paris Montparnasse is a comfortable and scenic choice, taking about 4.5 to 5 hours. Lourdes has its own train station within the city, and it’s walkable to the Sanctuary in about 15–20 minutes, or just a few minutes by taxi.

Trains also connect Lourdes to regional cities like Toulouse, Bordeaux, and Pau, making it easy to include Lourdes in a broader French itinerary.

For full flexibility, especially if you’re planning to visit the greater Occitanie region or explore the Pyrenees, renting a car is the best option. Lourdes is accessible via major highways, and driving lets you take in the beautiful southwestern French countryside at your own pace.

Getting Around Lourdes

Lourdes is a walkable city. The main sites, including the Sanctuary and places related to St. Bernadette are easily accessible by foot.

If you’re staying near the Sanctuary, you won’t need any transportation. If staying farther out or uphill, local buses and a small shuttle service connect major points like the train station and town center.

Taxis are also available and useful if you’re carrying luggage or have limited mobility. They usually wait at the train station or major hotels. Uber is also available in Lourdes.

Where to Stay in Lourdes

The Gave du pau river with its stunning blue water running through a village with buildings such as hotels built right up to the edge of the water and a bridge and more buildings in the background

A landscape picture of the mountainous village of Lourdes, France with a fast current river running through and buildings built up along the hillside

Hotel Roissy – Just a few steps from the Sanctuary, this hotel is convenient, clean, and well-reviewed.
L’Ami Toulousain – If you’re looking for both a meaningful dinner and a place to stay, this is a great option. A few guest rooms are available, making it a convenient and authentic place to spend the night.

There are also plenty of other hotels and Airbnb options in the area to suit different budgets and needs. If you’re visiting during a major pilgrimage season, it’s best to book early.

Where to Eat

Brasserie restaurant in Lourdes, France with green shade awnings and above it is a white building with green shades, there are tables and chairs set out in front with patrons sitting at a few of the tables

Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a more relaxing dinner, Lourdes has a good mix of options — from casual cafés to scenic spots by the river. Here are a few places we personally enjoyed:

New Orleans Café – Just a short walk from the Sanctuary, this cozy spot serves many different and delicious paellas. It is a great option for a relaxed meal after a day of walking around Lourdes.
E. Leclerc Cafeteria – Located just outside the main town, this is a budget-friendly choice with surprisingly good food. Perfect if you’re traveling with a group or want something simple and quick. They have so many options to choose from so there is something for everyone in the party.
Rivierasol – A lovely riverside restaurant known for its views and fresh salads. Try the salade landaise — it’s one of our favorites and is very refreshing on a hot day.
Casa Italia Pizza – A lifesaver when everything else is closed. Open late and serves reliable, satisfying pizza. This was our go-to after the nightly procession.
L’Ami Toulousain – A hidden gem near the Sanctuary offering a traditional fixed menu with hearty regional dishes like garbure (a rich vegetable and meat stew), fresh Roquefort salad, and a café gourmand dessert. The owner is incredibly welcoming, multilingual, and happy to chat with pilgrims. Excellent value (around €16–18 for a full meal), warm atmosphere, and also offers a few guest rooms for overnight stays.

A small bridge over a blue-green river in Lourdes, France with pedistrians walking across and hotels in the background and a hill on the right side in the back — View from Rivierasol Restaurant

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes taken from the very front of the sanctuary which starts with a large crucifix of Our Lord and a long stretch of grass and roads leading to the basilicas far in the back on a cloudy and gloomy day

The Grotto

Mosaic in the ground marking the spot where St. Bernadette prayed on 11 February 1858, the first day of Mary's apparition

At the heart of Lourdes is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, a sacred domain with the Grotto of Massabielle at its center. It is to this very grotto, the site of the apparitions, that pilgrims from all over the world come to pray.

The Grotto is nestled next to the beautiful Gave de Pau river that runs through Lourdes. The Pyrenees mountain stream adds to the serenity of this sacred place.

The sacred site of the Massabielle grotto is a place of silence and prayer. It’s here that Our Lady revealed the miraculous spring whose waters continue to inspire faith and heal certain pilgrims.

When Mass or scheduled prayers are not taking place there, pilgrims can line up and walk along and touch the grotto’s rocks. Towards the back of the grotto you can see the spring promised by Our Lady, which St. Bernadette dug up that still runs to this day.

Amidst the benches of the grotto is a plaque marking where St. Bernadette prayed during the first apparition of Mary. It is hiding amongst the seats but we happened to be praying right behind it one evening and discovered it.

The Miraculous Spring Water Faucets

Near the grotto, faucets dispense the miraculous water from the spring. Pilgrims are welcome to fill any containers they’ve brought or bought.

You’ll often see people quietly collecting water, whether for personal use, for loved ones, or to bring a reminder of their pilgrimage home.

Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes

At the very center of the sanctuary is a towering statue of Our Lady of Lourdes. There the statue beautifully stands for pilgrims from all around the world to venerate in this holy site. The statue is all white with some blue on her sash and gold on her crown and roses on her feet.

Along the rest of the sanctuary’s grounds and along the basilicas are statues of saints from all over the world and from various time periods.

The Three Basilicas

Picture of the basilica at the sanctuary of Lourdes taken from the side path leading up to the upper basilica. There's a statue of St. Anne on the side toward the front of the frame

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, France taken from a distance with the basicilas nestled between green trees and a river running under two bridges to the right of the basilicas

Above the Grotto, two majestic basilicas rise, quite literally atop each other, in a striking example of devotional architecture built into the rocky hillside. The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, completed in 1876, is the upper church and the oldest of the three. It sits directly above the Grotto and features soaring stained glass windows that depict the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

Below it, at ground level, is another holy place. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary or Rosary Basilica, completed in 1899 is known for its stunning Byzantine-style domes and luminous mosaic chapels representing the mysteries of the Rosary. Together, these two basilicas form a vertical axis of prayer, drawing the eye and the heart upward.

Just a short walk from the Grotto is the Underground Basilica of St Pius X. This modern church was designed to accommodate the enormous crowds of pilgrims, with a capacity of 25,000 people.

Liturgy and Spiritual Highlights at the Sanctuary

Chapel of Reconciliation

Daily confessions are offered in the Chapel of Reconciliation, with priests available in a variety of languages. Whether you’re returning to the sacrament after many years or receiving frequent confession, this is the place to encounter God’s mercy.

Simply seeing the chapel inspires awe. It is a great reminder that the Church values our souls so deeply, as it has dedicated an entire building, the size of a small inn, solely for the grace of reconciliation.

A beautiful building dedicated to the sacrament of Reconciliation in the Sanctuary of Lourdes, France with two stories and many arched windows across the building. There is the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in front of the building at the center of the Sanctuary — Chapel of Reconciliation

Confessions are offered year-round in this building thanks to the generosity of our Catholic priests. Just make sure to head there before evening as the chapel closes at 6pm.

I was too late to go to the chapel one evening but during the nightly procession, there were many priests sitting on the side hearing confession. A gracious priest was able to hear my confession with a simple, “Vous parlez anglais ?” from me.

Eucharistic Procession and Blessing of the Sick

Each afternoon (typically around 5:00 PM), there is a Eucharistic procession from the Basilica to the open esplanade, where the Blessing of the Sick takes place.

This is one of the most moving events of the day, especially as the infirm are brought forward in wheelchairs and stretchers while thousands pray in silence. In these moments, no doubt you will feel that the heart of Lourdes is not spectacle, but love and compassion.

Candlelight Processions

Nightly candlelight procession at lourdes with men holding candles lit inside paper cones looking at the front of a lighted up basilica at night

From April to October, every evening at 9:00 PM, thousands gather for the nightly candlelight processions—an invitation Our Lady made during one of her apparitions: “Come here in procession.”

Pilgrims join in prayer and song, many carrying candles and rosaries, in a powerful display of devotion and unity. The rosary is recited together in various languages from Latin to Spanish to French.

You can find an up-to-date schedule of Masses, processions, and other liturgical events here.

The Lourdes Baths

The back view of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes taken from across the river on a gloomy and foggy day

Before the pandemic, a lourdes pilgrimage would include healthy and sick people fully immersing themselves in the holy baths. When COVID hit, that changed — instead of immersion, people began doing the “water gesture,” washing their face, hands, and forearms with water from the spring.

Since August 2024, full immersion is available again, and you can now choose between two options: the traditional baths (with help from volunteers at five open pools) or the gesture of water at the fountains near the Grotto.

Both are free and open during regular hours. Volunteers are there to guide you, explain the process, and provide a cloth for modesty.

To better prepare yourself, you can see these special experiences in these videos here and here.

The Miracles Attributed to the Healing Waters

Candles of various sizes offered at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in the Chapel of Lights which is the spot dedicated to offering candles — Candles at the Chapel of Lights – Lourdes, France

Since the 19th century, the Church has officially recognized 72 healings at Lourdes as truly miraculous, a small fraction of the more than 7,000 healing claims reported at the shrine. The Lourdes Medical Bureau, established in 1883, handles the rigorous examination of each case.

When a healing is reported, the bureau meticulously collects medical documentation and clinical records to assess if the recovery is complete, lasting, instantaneous, and medically inexplicable. Only cases that meet these strict criteria are considered for further ecclesiastical review. This painstaking process, which can take decades, reflects Lourdes’s commitment to both scientific rigor and spiritual discernment.

The Traditional Latin Mass in Lourdes: FSSP Chapel

A traditional catholic altart adorned for Mass in the Chapelle de L'Hospitalet, Lourdes, France. The altar is in an alcove with a statue of Mary above the altar flanked by three candles on both sides. — The altar inside the FSSP’s Chapelle de L’Hospitalet

Small chapel with wooden high altar that has a crucifix in the center with an altar below covered in a gold fabric. There are red velvet curtains all along the wall and chairs for pews — FSSP Residence Chapel in Lourdes

The exterior of the Chapelle de L'Hospitalet as seen walking up from the Sanctuary of Lourdes: stairs lead up to the side of a church — A view of the FSSP’s Chapelle de L’Hospitalet as seen walking up from the Sanctuary of Lourdes

For those seeking the Traditional Latin Mass, the Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) offers a quiet and reverent chapel just a short walk from the main Sanctuary:

Chapelle de L’Hospitalet
Address: 3A Route de Pau, F-65100 Lourdes, France

Mass Times:
Sunday – 9:00 AM
Monday to Friday – 6:30 PM
Saturday – 9:00 AM

Occasionally, daily Mass is offered at the nearby FSSP residence, Maison Notre-Dame des Victoires (16 boulevard du Gave). To locate the chapel or residence, this map (in French) is very helpful—and Google Translate works well with it.

Walking the Way of St. Bernadette

One of the most beautiful experiences in Lourdes is walking in the footsteps of St Bernadette. The “Chemin de Bernadette” is a self-guided tour that connects key places from her life.

A walking street in Lourdes with the path of St Bernadette in a blue line down the street. On the right a catholic shop under two flags. — The Way of St. Bernadette is easy to follow throughout the town of Lourdes

Metal markers indicating the route of St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France that are embedded onto the cement ground — The Way of St. Bernadette Metal Markers

Follow the blue line painted on the streets and the metal markers bearing Bernadette’s face to guide your way. Don’t forget to bring comfortable walking shoes and give yourself ample time to spend time at all the stops.

Download the walking tour map here

We recommend you stop at a minimum here along the tour:

Musée Sainte Bernadette – Located near the Sanctuary, this museum offers a wonderful overview of her life and the Marian message of Lourdes.
Moulin de Boly or Boly Mill – The house where Bernadette was born, featuring a working water mill once owned by her family.
Le Cachot – A former prison turned makeshift home. This is the one-room house Bernadette lived in with her family during the time of the apparitions.
Paternal House of St. Bernadette – This is the home the Soubirous family lived in after the apparitions, which was gifted to them by the parish priest. The home initially belonged to her father’s family and today is still run by St. Bernadette’s relatives.
Parish Church of the Sacred Heart – A short walk from Le Cachot, here you’ll find the original baptismal font used for Bernadette’s baptism.

An old French mill in the mountains of Lourdes, France where St. Bernadette was born into the Soubirous family. It is two stories tall is a white building with dark brown shutters

A road running up between two houses in the mountainous region of Lourdes with a sign on the houses saying birthplace of St. Bernadette

A French mountainous house in Lourdes, France with green shutters against a peach building belonging to the family Soubirous

A stone house in Lourdes, France belonging to the Soubirous family after the apparitions it is two stories with wooden shutters and an attic with windows too

Baptismal font made of stone before icons of St. Bernadette and images of her life and the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes

Chapel dedicated to St. Bernadette's relic with a picture of St. Bernadette on the top and right below is the reliquary in the shape of a chapel adorned with images of her and Our Lady

Reliquary of St. Bernadette made of brass in the shape of a chapel adorned with decorations of St. Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes and angels in the windows

A green street sign against a wall in Lourdes' rue du bourg

Beyond Lourdes: the Shepherd Girl of Bartrès

A path covered in fallen leaves on a hill leading to a simple sheepfold made of stone nestled along the grassy hillside

The side angle of a simple sheepfold made of stones along the side of a grassy hill with wooden barn doors and wooden shutters over the only window above it and bare trees scattered in the background

If you have a little time, take a short trip to Bartrès, a peaceful small village just 4 km from Lourdes, where Bernadette lived in infancy and later returned to tend sheep as a young shepherdess.

The Bergerie Sainte‑Bernadette or sheepfold, built in the early 19th century, still stands today. Though privately owned, it offers a quiet, moving tribute to her humble, hidden life—an authentic witness to her pastoral beginnings and unwavering faith.

Suggested Itinerary for a Day in Lourdes:

The path leading up to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Lourdes, France which is the upper level basilica with a foggy forest in the background and a statue along the railings leading up to the basilica — The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

Morning: Attend Mass, then visit the Grotto early (when it’s quietest) for personal prayer. If you have time and would like to, go to confession at the Chapel of Reconciliation.
Midday: Follow the Way of the Cross, which winds up the hillside. The stations of the cross have two paths—one steep and traditional with life-sized bronze sculptures, and one more accessible.
Afternoon: Visit the Museums or Chemin de Bernadette, or participate in the Blessing of the Sick.
Evening: Pray the Rosary and join the Candlelight Procession.

Gifts and Souvenirs from Lourdes

Vintage Catholic art being sold at the front of an store window with images of Our Lady in frames — Vintage Shop in Lourdes

Souvenir shops around the Sanctuary offer a wide variety of rosaries, medals, holy water containers and many other religious articles. There are also many vintage and antique shops selling beautiful old Catholic art.

If you plan to bring items home, you can have them blessed by a priest after Mass, or bring them to the Grotto to be touched to the rock or placed before the altar during prayer.

The tip here is the further away from the sanctuary you go, the cheaper the same items are from those shops.

A hand holding a picture of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette in a souvenir shop with other pictures on in the background and candles on the shelf below — Boutique Shops in Lourdes

One of our favorite shops in Lourdes is Amor-Lux on 73 Rue de la Grotte, 65100 Lourdes, France. The shop is full of wonderful French attire with a lot of the items being made of wool, which that region is known for.

They also carry the famous Laulhere berets, which are produced in that very region. Laulhere is one of the few companies left still having their berets made locally in France. You can read more about it here.

The beret makes a wonderful chapel veil replacement during the winter when the weather is cooler. And what better place to get a beret than right where it is made to remind you of your pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Whether it’s your first time or a return visit, a pilgrimage to Lourdes is a unique trip. One that leaves you with a sentiment found nowhere else.

Lourdes meets every soul with the same quiet promise: healing is possible, the Catholic faith is alive, and Mary still waits at the Grotto, gently pointing the way to her Son.

Wishing you all a blessed journey.

Yours in Christ,
A & D

Visiting Lourdes, France – A Catholic Pilgrimage Guide