Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, Catholic pilgrimage site in Lourdes, France
Description
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is a pilgrimage site in the French Pyrenees that stretches along the Gave de Pau river. Pathways lead from the main entrance to the Massabielle grotto, passing several churches and open spaces for ceremonies.
History
Bernadette Soubirous reported 18 apparitions of the Virgin Mary at the Massabielle grotto between February and July 1858. Within a few years, thousands of pilgrims arrived and the first churches were built on the rock above the grotto.
Culture
Large groups gather each afternoon before the grotto, while thousands walk through the grounds with candles in the evening. Volunteers accompany sick pilgrims to the baths housed in simple buildings beside the spring.
Practical
The grounds remain open throughout the day and night, allowing visitors to reach the grotto or churches at any hour. Staff and volunteers are present during daylight hours to support sick or mobility-limited pilgrims.
Did you know?
Water from the grotto spring flows through 17 separate fountains where pilgrims collect it in bottles for personal use. Many bring empty containers or buy them at nearby shops before heading to the fountains.
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Massabielle Grotto
81 m
Rosary Basilica
3 m
Basilica of St. Pius X
319 m
Basilique de l'Immaculée-Conception de Lourdes
44 m
Château fort de Lourdes
685 m
Lac de Lourdes
2.6 km
Église Sainte-Bernadette de Lourdes
173 m
Funiculaire du pic du Jer
1.9 km
Via Crucis of Lourdes
129 m
Church of Sacred Heart, Lourdes
1 km
Moulin de Boly
685 m
Dormition Ukrainian Orthodox Church
450 m
Grottes des Espélugues
286 m
Musée pyrénéen de Lourdes
742 m
Monastère du Carmel de Lourdes
252 m
Monastère des Clarisses de Lourdes
510 m
Complexe Aquatique
1.4 km
Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption d’Aspin-en-Lavedan
2.6 km
Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in the Massabiel cave
81 m
Chapelle des Carmélites de Lourdes
238 m
Tour de Garnavie
812 m
Santé des Malades par Jules Déchin
145 m
Statue of Michael the Archangel on Rosary Square
476 m
Calvary in Rosary Square
411 m
Chapelle du Sacré-Cœur de la maison d'accueil Marie Saint-Frai
365 m
Grottes du Pic du Jer
2.8 km
Four à chaux de Lourdes
1.2 km
Musée de Lourdes
690 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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