Lourdes
Located at the foot of the Pyrenees in southwestern France, Lourdes is best known for the Marian apparitions reported by 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. These events transformed the small market town into one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, which includes the Grotto of Massabielle, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, and the underground Basilica of St. Pius X, draws millions each year. Visitors can attend daily processions, bathe in the spring water, and witness the lighting of thousands of candles, which continues a tradition started over 160 years ago.
While many come for spiritual reasons, Lourdes has historical layers that go beyond its religious significance. The Château Fort de Lourdes, a medieval fortress perched on a rocky outcrop, offers panoramic views of the town and the Pyrenean peaks. The castle houses the Pyrenean Museum, which features regional folk art, traditional furnishings, and detailed dioramas of rural life. For those interested in Bernadette’s personal story, the former hospice where she lived as a nun is now open to the public and includes her preserved cell and artifacts from her daily life.
Outdoor exploration is easy to access in Lourdes. A short ride on the Pic du Jer funicular railway brings travelers to a summit overlooking the town, with hiking paths and a panoramic terrace at the top. The area is also part of the Via Tolosana, one of the four main pilgrimage routes in France that connect to the Camino de Santiago. The trail sections around Lourdes pass through quiet valleys, rolling pastures, and forested hills, offering a different pace and perspective from the town’s religious center.
