Discover Lourdes: Sanctuary, History and Nature

When looking for a hotel for your trip to Lourdes, you can plan around the topics that interest you most: the sanctuary and pilgrimage practices, the history of Bernadette and the city, or trails and nature. The sights offer different perspectives, from historical collections and walks to activities on the lake.

The Sanctuary and Pilgrimage Practices

The Sanctuary of Lourdes welcomes individual visitors, groups and organised pilgrimages, regardless of geographical, religious, cultural or social background. The visitor experience includes various gestures: visitors can touch the rock of the Grotto. The gesture of water invites pilgrims to drink from the spring and wash with its water. It can be performed independently at any of the sanctuary’s fountains throughout the day.

Beyond these individual acts, Lourdes offers different ways to explore its pilgrimage history. The Chemin de vie de Bernadette is a themed walking route that presents the city’s cultural heritage. The route shows Lourdes in the social and historical context in which Bernadette Soubirous knew the city.

Bernadette and Pyrenean Heritage

Bernadette Soubirous was born on 7 January 1844 at the Moulin de Boly. Visitors can see her birth room, the kitchen, the old mill and the millstones restored in 2012. After the apparitions, the Moulin Lacadé was Bernadette’s family home; it houses furniture, objects and photographs belonging to the Soubirous family. The Cachot offers another glimpse into the family’s living conditions: from the winter of 1857 to the autumn of 1858, it was their 16 m² home.

The Sacré-Cœur parish church was built between 1875 and 1936. It houses Bernadette’s Romanesque baptismal font from the former Saint-Pierre church. The Musée Sainte-Bernadette presents her life, the message of Lourdes and the construction of the sanctuary through numerous photographs and objects associated with Bernadette. Here, her life story is the focus; the Château fort – Musée pyrénéen offers a broader view of the region. The fortress has more than 1,000 years of history and is listed as a historic monument. Its museum displays collections on the history and cultures of the Pyrenees from the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century. From the fortress walls, the view stretches across the city and sanctuary to the Pyrenean mountain range.

Walks, the Lake and Pic du Jer

For walks, the Subercarrère forest, also known as the Bois de Lourdes, lies on the edge of the city and is considered a favourite walking area. The marshland west of Lac de Lourdes offers a different landscape. It has been designated a Natura 2000 site since 2006 and is home to the Fadet des laîches and the sundew, a carnivorous plant that is rare in France.

A route of around 6 kilometres runs around Lac de Lourdes and is suitable for walking, cycling or running. Stand-up paddleboarding and canoeing are also possible on the lake. City bus route 2 serves Lac de Lourdes; check the route number again before your trip, as it may change.

For a longer route, the Voie Verte des Gaves offers a 22-kilometre trail from Lourdes to Cauterets via Argelès-Gazost. Its first section runs from Lourdes to Pierrefitte-Nestalas and is accessible to bicycles, roller skates, pedestrians, roller skis, handbikes and wheelchairs. The GR78, also known as the Chemin du Piémont, connects Béziers with Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and passes through Lourdes.

At Pic du Jer, there is a black mountain biking trail and a blue trail accessible to everyone. The funicular covers a vertical ascent of 438 metres between the lower and upper stations. Several paths lead from the upper station towards the summit cross; the underground caves at Pic du Jer are described as the highest caves in France.

Market and Pyrenean Specialities

The Halles de Lourdes brings together local producers, craftspeople and traders offering Pyrenean specialities. Its late-19th-century metal architecture is inspired by market halls in the Baltard style. Another way to discover local specialities is through Co&zion’s Food Tours, which include tastings, meetings with producers and traders, and anecdotes about the history of Lourdes. As dates and providers may change, check the current offer before making plans.

Discover more destinations: Lannemezan, Gembrie, Thermes-Magnoac, Sailhan, Estaing, Marsac, Aureilhan, Orleix

For the main travel overview: Hautes-Pyrénées.