Monastère du Carmel de Lourdes

An enclosed convent with chapel and cloister set on a hillside above the city. The stone complex houses 19 members who maintain the liturgy of the hours. The enclosure includes individual cells, workspaces and a garden overlooking the Massabielle grotto.

The community was founded in 1876, three years after Pope Pius IX officially recognized the Carmelite presence in Lourdes. Sisters from the Carmel of Pau established the first buildings on La Ribère field, where Bernadette Soubirous had her eighteenth apparition on July 16, 1858. The facility was later expanded and modernized.

The Carmelite sisters spend their days in choral prayer, meditation and manual work, following the rule reformed in the 16th century by Teresa of Ávila. Their contemplative lifestyle provides spiritual support for pilgrims visiting Lourdes. The community also offers guidance for women considering a monastic vocation.

The convent is located at 17 Route de Pau, roughly one mile from the sanctuary. Visitors may attend services in the chapel, though access to the enclosed areas is not permitted. Young women can apply for stays to experience monastic life. City buses connect the site with downtown Lourdes.

The convent garden was laid out on the portion of the field where Bernadette Soubirous had her eighteenth encounter with the apparition on the morning of July 16, 1858. This date coincides with the liturgical feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which gave special significance to the order's establishment at this location.

Location: Lourdes

Inception: 1876

GPS coordinates: 43.09969,-0.05687

Latest update: December 1, 2025 20:04