Our Lady of Lourdes

The Story

Our Lady of Lourdes is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in connection with a series of eighteen apparitions reported by Saint Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France, in 1858. The apparitions took place at the Grotto of Massabielle, a rocky cave beside the Gave de Pau River near the foothills of the Pyrenees. During these encounters, Mary called people to prayer, conversion, penance, compassion for sinners, and greater trust in God’s mercy. She also asked that a chapel be built at the grotto and that people come there in procession. On March 25, 1858, the woman appearing to Bernadette identified herself with the words, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” The Catholic Church formally recognized the apparitions as authentic in 1862. Since then, Lourdes has developed into one of the world’s most important Marian pilgrimage destinations, especially associated with prayer for the sick, care for people with disabilities, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic worship, and hope in the midst of suffering.

Church Recognition

The apparitions were declared worthy of belief by the Bishop of Tarbes in 1862. Lourdes is a recognized shrine and a place of approved Marian devotion.

Catholic Teaching

Lourdes draws the faithful to prayer, conversion, and trust in God amid suffering, and is tied to the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, the title Mary gave when she spoke to Bernadette.

Plan Your Visit

The Pilgrim’s Quick Card

Ideal stay: 2-3 days 2 days is recommended, but 3 days allows relaxed pilgrmage.
Best months: May & September Avoid busy times, and still experience full services
Nearest airport: Tarbes-Lourdes (LDE) Also consider Paris (CDG), with train from Paris to Lourdes
Language & currency: French English widely spoken at the shrine
Feast day: February 11
Accessibility: Excellent Wheelchairs and helpers free of charge

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Plan the trip

How Long Should I Stay? Two nights is the recommended minimum.

Lourdes rewards a slower pace. You can see the Sanctuary in one day, but staying two nights allows you to experience the Grotto when it is quiet, attend the evening procession, go to Confession, and pray without constantly watching the clock.

One day - Grotto, Mass, Lourdes water, basilicas and evening procession.
Two nights (recommended) - adds Confession, Stations of the Cross, Eucharistic procession and time to follow in St. Bernadette's footsteps.
Three or four nights - allows a relaxed pilgrimage plus nearby sites such as Bartrès or a day in the Pyrenees.

Pilgrim Tip: If traveling with someone who is elderly, sick or has limited mobility, consider adding an extra day.

Best Time to Visit May, June and September offer the best balance of weather

Best Overall

May–June and September–early October

The main pilgrimage season runs roughly from April through November, when the Sanctuary offers its fullest schedule of processions and activities.

July & August

The busiest and warmest period. Expect larger pilgrimage groups and more activity.

February 11

The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is one of the most significant days of the year, but expect large crowds and winter weather.

For a Quieter Pilgrimage

Consider late April, May, late September or early October.

Getting There From the United States For most American travelers, Paris plus the train is the easiest route.

Best Overall: Paris + Train

Fly from the United States to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), transfer to Paris Montparnasse station and take a TGV directly to Lourdes.

The train from Paris takes approximately 4¾ to 5½ hours. Overnight trains also operate from Paris Austerlitz.

Closest Airport: Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées (LDE)

Located approximately 15 minutes from Lourdes, this is the most convenient airport once you reach the region. It serves Paris-Orly and several European cities, making it useful with a connecting flight.

Good Alternative: Toulouse (TLS)

Toulouse is a larger regional airport with more flight options. From Toulouse, continue to Lourdes by train, rental car or private transfer.

Our recommendation: For a first pilgrimage from the United States, choose Paris + TGV unless you find a convenient connecting flight directly into Lourdes.

On the ground

Getting Around You usually do not need a rental car in Lourdes.

The Sanctuary, Grotto, basilicas and most places associated with St. Bernadette are within walking distance of the town center.

Local buses, taxis and other transportation are available when needed, and an airport shuttle connects Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport with Lourdes.

A rental car is worth considering only if you plan to explore the Pyrenees or surrounding villages.

Good to Know: Lourdes has hills. A hotel that appears close on a map may involve a steep walk, which matters if traveling with someone with limited mobility.

Where to Stay Stay within a 5–10 minute walk of the Sanctuary if possible.

For a pilgrimage, convenience is more valuable than luxury. Staying near the Sanctuary allows you to easily return to the Grotto early in the morning, rest during the afternoon and walk back after the evening procession.

Look for hotels around the Sanctuary entrances, Rue Sainte-Marie and Avenue Bernadette Soubirous.

Best For Pilgrims

Hotels immediately surrounding the Sanctuary
Pilgrimage-oriented hotels with meal plans
Accessible hotels for elderly or mobility-limited travelers
Small hotels farther into town for quieter stays

Pilgrim Tip: Ask specifically about hills, elevators and wheelchair access when booking for someone with mobility concerns.

Accessibility Lourdes is one of the world's most accessible major pilgrimage destinations.

The Sanctuary has been designed to welcome pilgrims who are sick, elderly or living with disabilities. Accessible routes, assistance services and facilities are available throughout much of the Sanctuary.

The Prairie Stations of the Cross are specifically accessible to people with reduced mobility, while the hillside Espélugues route is not.

Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport also provides free assistance for passengers with reduced mobility.

Pilgrim Tip: Lourdes is especially well suited for families accompanying someone who is ill or has significant mobility limitations.

What to do

Most Important Things to Do Build your visit around prayer at the Grotto, the sacraments and the principal devotions

Grotto of Massabielle

The heart of Lourdes and the site of the 1858 apparitions. Walk through the Grotto, touch the rock and, most importantly, spend time simply sitting and praying.

Allow: 30–60 minutes
Best time: Early morning or later in the evening.

Experience the Lourdes Water

Drink from the spring, wash your face and hands, participate in the Water Gesture or, when operating, visit the Baths. Lourdes water is provided free of charge, and individuals currently do not need advance reservations for the Baths.

Allow: 30–60 minutes

Marian Torchlight Procession

One of Lourdes' most memorable experiences. Pilgrims from around the world walk together carrying candles and praying the Rosary. The procession is normally held nightly at 9:00 PM from April through November.

Allow: About 1 hour
Do not miss: If you are staying overnight, make this a priority.

Go to Confession

Lourdes places a strong emphasis on reconciliation and conversion. Confessions are offered in multiple languages at the Sanctuary.

Pray the Stations of the Cross

Choose between two routes:

Espélugues Way of the Cross - a beautiful 1.5 km hillside route with significant climbing.
Prairie Way of the Cross - flatter and accessible to pilgrims with reduced mobility.

Allow: 1–2 hours.

Walk in St. Bernadette's Footsteps

Visit Boly Mill, where Bernadette was born; Le Cachot, where her family lived during the apparitions; her parish church and baptismal font; and the former Hospice. The official guided route takes about two hours.

Suggested Pilgrimage Itinerary Two days gives you enough time to experience Lourdes without rushing.

Day One

Arrive and walk through the Sanctuary
Pray at the Grotto
Attend Mass
Experience the Lourdes water
Visit the Rosary Basilica and Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Attend the Marian Torchlight Procession

Day Two

Return to the Grotto early in the morning
Go to Confession
Pray the Stations of the Cross
Walk in St. Bernadette's footsteps
Attend the Eucharistic Procession and Blessing of the Sick when scheduled
End with quiet prayer at the Grotto

Have another day? Use it for additional prayer, Bartrès, or an excursion into the nearby Pyrenees.

Mass, Confession & Prayer Let the Sanctuary's prayer schedule shape your day.

Depending on the season, pilgrims can participate in:

Schedules change seasonally and for major pilgrimage events, so check the official Sanctuary schedule shortly before and during your visit.

The official Lourdes app provides real-time Mass and celebration schedules and can show schedules up to approximately two weeks ahead.

Practical

What to Bring Comfortable shoes and a few simple pilgrimage items

Pilgrimage Essentials

Practical Items

Comfortable walking shoes
Light rain jacket
Layers for changing mountain weather
Sunscreen and hat
Portable phone charger
European Type C/E power adapter
Small empty bottles if you plan to take Lourdes water home

Pilgrim Tip: Candles and containers for Lourdes water are readily available in town, so you do not need to bring them from the United States.

Before You Go A little preparation helps turn a trip to Lourdes into a pilgrimage.

Before leaving:

✓ Download the official Lourdes app
✓ Check current Mass and procession schedules
✓ Write down your prayer intentions
✓ Pack comfortable walking shoes
✓ Check the weather
✓ Arrange your airport or train transfer
✓ Confirm accessibility needs with your hotel
✓ Leave room in your schedule for quiet prayer
✓ Consider going to Confession before or during the pilgrimage

Most Important: Don't try to fill every hour. Some of the best moments in Lourdes come from simply sitting across from the Grotto in silence.

Additional Information A few practical details will make your pilgrimage much easier.

Official Lourdes App

Download Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes before arriving.

It includes:

Interactive Sanctuary map
Real-time Mass and procession schedules
Accessible-route information
Activities and pilgrimage routes
Practical Sanctuary information

There is also a separate Prier avec Lourdes / Pray with Lourdes app for prayer, livestreams from the Grotto and submitting prayer intentions.

Currency

France uses the Euro (€). Credit cards are widely accepted, but carrying some euros is useful for small purchases, candles and cafés.

Language

French is the local language, but English is common around the Sanctuary, hotels and pilgrimage services.

Religious Etiquette

Dress respectfully inside churches, silence your phone during prayer and Mass, and remember that many people visiting Lourdes are seriously ill or accompanying someone who is.

Go Deeper

Visit the official sanctuary website, lourdes-france.com, for pilgrimage information. Franz Werfel's "The Song of Bernadette," the documentation of the Lourdes Medical Bureau on reported cures, and the Catechism on illness and healing (CCC 1500-1510) offer further depth.