Lourdes, in the French Pyrenees, is one of the most important Marian pilgrimage sites in the world, visited by millions each year since the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Saint Bernadette in 1858. This complete guide brings together our articles on the sanctuary, the pilgrim experience and where to stay, and sets out the practical basics for planning a visit.

In This Series

• The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
• A Pilgrimage to Lourdes: Processions, Healing and Hope
• Where to Stay in Lourdes: Budget Hotels Near the Sanctuary

Who Comes Here

Catholic pilgrims of all ages come to pray at the grotto and take part in the processions, and Lourdes has a special place for the sick and disabled, who travel here in great numbers with the help of volunteers. Visitors of other backgrounds also come to witness its remarkable atmosphere of compassion.

When to Visit

The main pilgrimage season runs from spring to autumn, when the sanctuary holds its full programme of Masses and processions; the evening torchlight procession is a highlight. Many hotels close in winter. The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on 11 February and the height of summer are especially busy.

Getting There

Lourdes has its own railway station with direct services from Paris, Bordeaux, Toulouse and beyond, and the nearby Tarbes–Lourdes–Pyrénées airport handles seasonal pilgrim flights. The sanctuary and the town’s Bernadette sites are all within walking distance of the centre.

Explore More Sacred Sites

• The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem
• The Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
• Vatican City and St Peter’s Basilica, Rome
• The Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth
• Santiago de Compostela, Spain
• Fatima, Portugal
• Mont-Saint-Michel, France
• The Holy Sites of Christianity: A Guide to the Great Sacred Places