Things to Do in Lourdes

It is this bath that holds the spiritual Lourdes water. People from all over the world come here to take a dip into this water to purify themselves. According to the history, the Lourdes water is that water which flows from a spring in the Grotto of Massabielle (the shrine) in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. Pilgrims often comes to take a dip as a step for the confession. Once they approach the bath, they are asked to present their petitions.

The Sanctuary of our Lady of Lourdes or the Domain  (as it is commonly known) is considered as the most spiritual place of Lourdes, a destination for pilgrimage. People from all over the world come to take a dip in the icy-cold Lourdes water. At present, the ground is owned and looks after by Roman Catholics Church. They hold various religious programs, functions and arrange accommodations for the sick pilgrims and their helpers. The Domain also includes the Grotto that is said to be the replica of the one at Our Lady of Lourdes.

There is a myth surrounding the Domain that, in 1858, Virgin Mary had appeared in front of a 14-year old girl. This fact has somehow played a significant role in making this place as one of the religious destination.

Things to see:-

• BasiliqueSouterraine St-Pie X – It’s an underground Basilica.
• Basilique du Rosaire – It a minor basilica within the Sanctuary.

It is a thousand year old castle, situated at the top of a rocky cliff offering a great view of the Marian Sanctuary and the Pyrenees. Its origin is said to be dated back to Roman age. You get to see few of the remaining from that age, preserved within the castle. The history says, the castle worked as a strong defense for its neighbors where people could take refuge within its wall at the time of attack. Today, it is considered as the national monument and it also house the MuseePyreneen (Museum of the Pyrenees).

The Pyrenean museum was inaugurated in 1922 by the Minister for the Arts, Leon Berard. Within the museum, collection of paintings and drawings are preserved that are donated by Lourdes Council in 1944. In the outside area, you get to see botanical garden, models of traditional Pyrenean houses and a reconstruction of a Pyrenean cemetery.

It is the summit in the Hautes-Pyrenees, offering the best panoramic view of Lourdes. The observatory located 1000 meters above the city let you get 360° panoramic view of Lourdes, Pau and its surrounding. It is located 951m above the city and is easily recognizable at night because of the big cross that lights up at night. At the top, you also get to see roe deer, moufflons, fawn-colored black vulture, Egyptian vulture. This summit is accessible only by funicular.

This funicular is popularly known as Pic de Jer Funicular, is a functional railway and has been operating since 1900. It transport visitors to the top of the summit where you can enjoy some activities after reaching over there. For instance, after going up by funicular, you can do activities like mountain biking. Else if you are not interested in this tour, hiking option is always open for you.

It is Boly Water-mil where Bernadette (St. Bernadette Soubirous- before whom Virgin Mary appeared ) was born in January, 1844, one year after her parents (Louise Casterot and Francois Soubirous) got married. She spent 10 years of her childhood in that mill. You can still see the bedroom where Bernadette was born.

This museum is also popularly known as Wax Museum of Lourdes and has become one of the important tourist sites for travellers. The museum displays 18 scenes and around 100 life size wax figures depicting stories of the Christ and life of Bernadette (St. Bernadette Soubirous- before whom Virgin Mary appeared ).

Highlighted feature – A true copy of the reliquary in which Saint Bernadette rests in Nevers, made of wax has been kept.

A visit to this museum takes you back to the history about the origin of Lourdes. Take a walk around the replicated countryside and you get to see old masonry house, old mills, rivers and so on. The entire tour will make you feel as if the old Lourdes has come back into life.

It is a tiny jail room where Bernadette (a 14 year old girl) and her family were forced to take refuge in 1857 when her family faced hard times. The room measures around 16 square meter. A visit to this jail will definitely wet your eyes just by imagining how a family was forced to live in such a dingy place. It was during her stay in this room, Bernadette came across the Grotte de Massabielle (the shrine where Virgin Mary appeared in front of her) while collecting firewoods in the outside.

Located right at the centre of the city, the architectural work of the market set an example of perfect metallic work from the late 19th century. This market is an important place for regular vendors of the city. Take a trip into this market. You get all kinds of vendors selling both foods and other items.

It is also known as Upper Basilica, is said to be the earliest Basilica of Lourdes and considered as the most important place for pilgrimage of the Hautes-Pyrenees. The name ‘Upper Basilica’ was given to distinguish it from the ‘Lower Basilica’ (Rosary Basilica) and the ‘Underground Basilica’ (Basilica of St. Pius X). 

Highlighted feature – the nave that is divided into nine equal-sized bays; the stained glass windows of the Basilica depicting the story of Virgin Mary.

Moving just a few steps ahead from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, this museum is located. It has preserved documents and momentos describing the life history of Bernadette (St. Bernadette Soubirous- before whom Virgin Mary appeared). Apart from these, you get to see message of Lourdes Shrine, historical facts related to the construction of the Sanctuary, especially iconography and objects that belonged to the famous Bigorre’s children.

The museum was built by Mr. and Mrs. Thuard to preserve ancient image that was created in Capvern-les-bains. Their aim was to revive age old techniques of printing images like Typography, Lithography and Chromolithographie.

Bordered by the Gave de Pau in the north and the Rock of Massabielle towers in the south, the Grotto de Massabielle (the Shrine) is located right at the center of the Sanctuary. This place is one of the important places for pilgrimage because of the story that goes around. The story says that it is this place where Virgin Mary appeared in front of Bernadette Soubirous(a 14 year old girl ) in 1858. At the backside of the cave lies the famous spring that was discovered by Bernadette, following Virgin Mary’s instruction.

This church was built between July 1875 and September 1903. It is in this year, the old church of St. Peters was demolished.

The church now contains the baptismal font where Bernadette (St. Bernadette Soubirous- before whom Virgin Mary appeared ) was baptized. The furniture of the old Saint Paris church is being kept in the castle. In the crypt of the church, the tomb of Abbot Peyramale (priest of Lourdes) is located. Under the bell tower, you can see the Statue of Bernadette Riding Hood. The beauty of this church does deserve admiration.

Do you wish to know more about Lourdes and its people? If yes, a visit to this museum should be a must see for you. The museum tells about the history of Lourdes in 1858 (at the time of apparitions) through wax models. You get to see period costumes, their culture, old trades and so on.