Visit Lourdes
The sanctuary of our lady of Lourdes
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is open all year round, 24 hours a day. The entry is free.
The Grotto of Massabielle is bordered by the Gave de Pau in the north and east, and the Rock of Massabielle towers above it in the south.
It is 9m50 deep and is the place where the Virgin appeared to Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old girl from Lourdes, in 1858.
At the back left of the Grotto is the Spring, which was uncovered by Bernadette following the Virgin’s instructions.
Water from the Spring is channelled into the town’s fountains, swimming pools and the water’s path.
The Grotto is one of the Sanctuaries’ must-see places, and receives around 6 million visitors a year.
Adress : 1 Avenue Mgr Théas, 65108 Lourdes
Phone : 05 62 42 78 78
Web Site : https://www.lourdes-france.org/en
The little train Lourdes
In 45 minutes with the Little Train of Lourdes, you can take a 7.5 kilometre tour through the old streets, the uptown area and its monuments.
On this journey you will be able to visit a variety of tourist sites at a reduced rate with the “Visa for Lourdes” pass.
Adress : Place Monseigneur Laurence, 65108 Lourdes
Phone : 05 62 97 42 46
Web Site : https://en.lourdes-infotourisme.com/web/EN
Funiculaire du Pic du Jer
The best view of the Pyrenees from Lourdes. The Pic du Jer that overlooks the town can be recognised by its big cross, which is lit up at night.
You can reach it by taking a hundred-year-old funicular, which will take you to the top at an altitude of 1000 metres in a few minutes; a very scenic journey…
At the top, a walking trail will take you to the observatory, where you will find a unique panoramic viewpoint offering a 360° view of Lourdes, Tarbes, Pau, the Argelès Gazost valley and the peaks of the Pyrenees.
Adress : 59 avenue Francis Lagardère, 65108 Lourdes
Phone : 05 62 94 00 41
Web Site : https://en.lourdes-infotourisme.com/web/EN
Château Fort de Lourdes
His thousand-year-old fortress, which has never been conquered, is a listed historical monument and a museum of France. This site offers exceptional views of the city, the Sanctuaries and the Pyrenees. Within its walls there is also a botanical garden at the foot of the 14th-century keep, and the Pyrenean Museum.
Visit the most important collections about the history of the French and Spanish Pyrenees: ceramics and furniture from the 18th century, a shepherd’s hut, traditional costumes, miniature, Pyreneism…
Adress : 25 rue du Fort, 65108 Lourdes
Phone : 05 62 42 37 37
Web Site : https://en.lourdes-infotourisme.com/web/EN
Musée de Cire de Lourdes
Lourdes “wax” museum has received over 2 000 000 visitors since it was founded, and is the town’s number one tourist attraction.
Discover 18 scenes and over 100 life-sized wax figures, arranged by the decorators of the prestigious Grévin Museum in Paris.
Scene by scene, experience the exciting story of Jesus Christ and the life of Bernadette.
History will be forever engraved in your memory! For you will have seen it for yourself! As if you had really been there.
Adress : 87 rue de la Grotte, 65108 Lourdes
Phone : 05 62 94 33 74
Web Site : https://en.lourdes-infotourisme.com/web/EN
Lac de Lourdes
A glacial lake 3 km from the town centre (towards Pau via Soumoulou). You can go walking or mountain biking, fish and play golf (18 holes).
In a natural environment, a restaurant, an adventure playground for children, pedalos and a picnic area are at your disposal.
For renting pedalos : Tel. 0033 (0)5 62 32 50 59
Adress : Chemin du Lac, 65108 Lourdes
Phone : 06 52 43 78 97
Web Site :https://en.lourdes-infotourisme.com/web/EN
Around Lourdes
Grotte de Betharam
In all their diversity, the Bétharram Caves hold the key to the formation of nearly all caves, be they dead or living.
They consist of five levels stacked on top of each other like storeys of a house, with the levels having been hollowed out at different times.
Adress : Chemin des Grottes, 65270 Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre
Phone : 05 62 41 80 04
Web Site : www.betharram.com
Cirque de Gavarnie
The cirque became legend when Victor Hugo, in his illustrious poem “Dieu”, described it as an “impossible and extraordinary object”, a “colosseum of nature”.
Adress : Village de Gavarnie
Phone : Tourism office : 05 62 92 49 10
Web Site : https://en.lourdes-infotourisme.com/web/EN
Pont d'Espagne
Le Pont d’Espagne, with the Gaube lake higher up, is among the most prized sites of the Pyrenees National Park.In summer as in winter, meditation, walking and hiking, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing or tobogganing will delight young and old alike. To make it accessible to all, this site was laid out to respect the environment: car park, reception building, shuttles, hostels, etc.
A marked path will take you to a footbridge, where you can admire the famous Pont d’Espagne, arched above gorges where foaming torrents flow. You may then take the Gaube chair lift that will take you quietly to the lake.
During a short 15-minute walk on the level, you will see the lake appear in all the splendour of its crystalline waters. On its bank is the old hostelry where travellers stopped in the 19th century. Celebrated by French romantics and by Victor Hugo, the Gaube lake is dominated by the impressive silhouette of the Vignemale. At 3,298 metres, it is the highest summit in the French Pyrenees.
Adress : Pont d’Espagne, Puntas, 65110 Cauterets
Phone : Tourism office : 05 62 92 50 50
Web Site : https://en.lourdes-infotourisme.com/web/EN
