Château fort de Lourdes

The Chateau fort de Lourdes rises on a strategic rock formation and features a keep, drawbridge, and defensive walls overlooking the town and Pyrenean peaks. The complex includes multiple buildings with thick walls that connect different spaces for living, storage, and defense.

The fortress was built beginning in the 11th century and changed hands several times, from the Counts of Bigorre to English rule following the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360 before returning to French control. Modifications from the 17th century remain visible in the buildings today.

The Pyrenean Museum inside displays regional objects, traditional clothing, and items from rural life spanning the 18th to early 20th centuries. The collection gives you a sense of how mountain communities lived and worked during that time.

The castle is accessible via a free elevator and the museum sections can be explored on your own. Wear comfortable shoes as there are uneven paths and stairs, particularly on the older levels of the complex.

The castle displays a rare feature: a modern elevator system installed in 1880 that is one of the oldest of its kind. This early mechanization allowed visitors at that time to reach the summit without climbing stairs.

Location: Lourdes

GPS coordinates: 43.09667,-0.04917

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:44