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Home » Travel » Europe » Western Europe » Lourdes, France – A Town of Healing Water and Miracles

Lourdes, France – A Town of Healing Water and Miracles

Last Updated: March 1, 2023 // by Rhonda Albom // 40 Comments
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Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in Lourdes France
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
French flag in Lourdes France
Lourdes healing waters
Inside the Basilica in Lourdes France
A crown and cross outside the Basilica in Lourdes France
Basilica in Lourdes France
A view of a Virgin Mary statue at Lourdes France
Lourdes is a one of the most spiritual cities on earth. A Catholic pilgrimage destination, it is famous for its healing waters

Famous for its healing waters and miracles, Lourdes France is remarkable. Spiritual energy breathes through this small village in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. To date, there have been 70 confirmed miracles at Lourdes since the first apparition appeared to a 14-year-old peasant girl in 1858.

Not surprisingly, the pull of the city is powerful, encouraging six million people annually to visit Lourdes, many hoping to be the next miracle.

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Torch-lit Marian procession

A torch-lit Marian procession begins at 9 pm every night since 1872. The overwhelming number of infirm wayfarers hoping for the miracle brought a tear to my eye.

They walked for nearly 1.5 hours, candle in hand, praying and singing in 6 languages to receive a blessing from the priest. And they just kept coming. So many of them.

While it was emotional to watch, there was also an unexplainable power, a motivating strength emanating from their belief.

The nightly candle-lit Marian procession in Lourdes France
Every night thousands of pilgrims joined the candle-lit procession.
Rosary tree outside the Lourdes sanctuary
Rosary tree at night.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes

The centre of all religious activity and religious tourism in Lourdes, the basilica is a masterpiece in its own right. Lourdes is a Catholic pilgrimage destination along the Camino, but unlike Santiago de Compostela, people come to Lourdes to be cured.

Long path leading to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in Lourdes France
Approach to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.
A closer look at some of the details of the basilica
A closer look at some of the details of the Sanctuary.

Lourdes healing water

The healing waters of Lourdes draw people from around the world. They come, they pray, they drink, they bathe, and all the while, they hope for a miracle.

While many hoped for medical miracles, others came for moral or spiritual healing. Importantly, drinking the water is easy, as it is free-flowing from taps labelled in six languages. Therefore, we joined hundreds of visitors and filled our water bottles at the side of the basilica.

One of our girls, and many tourists, filled bottles moulded in the shape of the Virgin statue to bring home. They seemed to be for sale in nearly every shop close to the cathedral. And to my surprise, they now ship these same bottles filled with the Lourdes holy water and available from Amazon.

Grotto in Lourdes, France

The Lourdes grotto is the spot where Saint Bernadette experienced 18 apparitions in 1858. Today, it is open to the public for candle lighting and, at specific times, to bathe in the healing water.

There are two queues, one for men, the other for women. Pilgrims and other visitors wait patiently. Once at the front of the queue, they stand naked, and two same-sex aids guide them into the icy water. One quick dunk and it is over. Many walk away feeling cured, or at least better than when they arrived.

We joined the queue on a rainy Sunday during the peak of the season. It crawled along slowly. The queues tend to be longer on Sunday as they are only bathing people who join the queue from 2-4 pm, rather than also having a morning time slot.

Staring at a several-hour wait and already wet from the rain, we backed out and opted instead to drink the water.

The women's queue to enter the grotto and dip into the Lourdes healing water France
The women’s queue to enter the water at the grotto.
Pilgrims and other visitors can light candles at the grotto for dipping into the Lourdes healing water France
Pilgrims and other visitors light candles at the grotto.

Lourdes healing water miracles

What constitutes a miracle?

The answer is more complex than I imagined. It is defined by rules from the Vatican and summarized here:

To be a miracle:

  • The illness must have been incurable without medical treatment or medication that can be shown to have been effective.
  • Healing must be immediate, instantaneous, complete, and without relapse.
  • The church must sanction each miracle through a rigorous process.

Over 8,000 claims have been made to date, but only 70 meet the strict criteria of a miraculous cure, less than 1% of all claims. The most recent of these was declared a miracle of Lourdes in February 2018. And more on this detailed list of the first 67 Lourdes miracles.

Our lady of Lourdes
The venerated image of Our Lady of the Rosary was granted a Canonical Coronation by Pope Pius IX on 3 July 1876.

Other things to do in Lourdes France

Underground Basilica

The massive size of the Underground Basilica surprised us. Here, we found modern religious symbols and the illustrated story of Bernadette and the 18 apparitions that appeared to her.

 An underground Basilica in France
Inside the underground Basilica and one of the series of illustrations.

Château Fort

A Roman fortification, the castle on the rocky hill overlooking the city is one of the few secular attractions in Lourdes. While energetic visitors can hike to the chateau, there is also a funicular or a free elevator. Here you will find beautiful views of the city and a museum featuring folk art and local artefacts (Musée Pyrénéen).

Château Fort in Lourdes France
Château Fort on the hill overlooking the city.

Birthplace of Bernadette Soubirous (Moulin de Boly)

Bernadette was born and lived here until she was 10. It was originally a watermill. Today it is a museum offering insight into the life of peasant families in the 1800s.

Birthplace of Saint Bernadette
Birthplace of Saint Bernadette
Photo Credit: Mathieu MD. Wikipedia Creative Commons.

Take a sanctuary and Grotto walking tour in Lourdes

The biggest mistake we made in Lourdes was not taking a tour.

Not so much for the sites, as they are easy to access, but rather for the history and legends. While we can get a lot from reading, there is something quite powerful in hearing about a miracle in the place it happened. If we get back, we will take a walking tour.

This private guided history tour of Lourdes tops our wish list. Highly rated, the reviews indicate that it’s the fascinating stories told by the expert guides that make this 3-hour walking tour so valuable.

Not only will you learn some of the religious history, but you will also see both the Basilica of Saint Pius and the newer Basilica of the Domain. And there are more stories as you visit the Grotto where Bernadette Soubirous experienced 18 apparitions, as well as the fountain and the Baths. Reserve your tour of Lourdes here.

Narrow streets of Lourdes France

Driving in Lourdes France

Despite having driven in countries all around the world, we were not mentally prepared for driving in Lourdes. We rely on our GPS or Google Maps on our phones. However, it was consistently sending us the wrong way down narrow one-way streets.

As it turns out, every 15 days, the city of Lourdes turns some of the one-way street signs the other way (no kidding). This was a decision made after the one-way streets were initially instituted, and several businesses lost customer traffic. The solution was to turn the streets. So if your GPS is confused, it is because the signs are turned. Be patient and vigilant.

One-way street sign in Lourdes France
Look closely at the sign. You can see that half flips, locking in place and changing the direction of the street every 15 days.

Getting to Lourdes, France

If you are brave enough to face the streets of Lourdes in your own vehicle, we recommend RentalCars.com. A conglomerator, they provide a list of cars and pricing available through local and well-known companies. It’s quick and easy, and they provide English-speaking customer service. We needed a vehicle, as Lourdes was the first stop on your French Pyrenees mountain road trip.

Otherwise, you can arrive by Eurail train, plane, or on a tour.

Take a day tour from Toulouse

This eight-hour adventure will bring you from Toulouse to one of the world’s most spiritual cities, where you will walk in the footsteps of Bernadette Soubirous.

You will see the basilica, be guided around the grounds, and discover the site of the healing waters. Lourdes is a city not to be missed, and if you are staying in Toulouse and have a free day, this tour is ideal. Reserve your private walking tour from Toulouse here

Our first view of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
Our first view of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes

Where to stay in Lourdes, France

While there are many options, we don’t recommend where we stayed. Had we planned in advance or not visited during the peak of the season, we would have stayed at one of these two four-star hotels.

  • Grand Hôtel Moderne: My top pick, this example of classic late 19th century French architecture and decor is perfectly located. An interior mix of Art Nouveau, elegance, and modern convenience, it boasts comfortable beds and delicious meals. Reserve your room at the Grand Hôtel Moderne here
  • Grand Hôtel Belfry: Built in 1873, this pet-friendly four-star accommodation looks comfortable and lovely. Superior rooms face the Sanctuary, while standard rooms face the city and fort hill. The buffet breakfast includes organic local products, and the hotel has onsite parking (not an easy thing to find in Lourdes). Reserve your room at the Grand Hôtel Belfry here.

Tips for visiting Lourdes

  • The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Grotto is always open.
  • Bring your water jugs to the cathedral to fill them from one of the taps with the healing Lourdes water. Water bottles in the shape of the Virgin Mary are available for sale at many locations in town.

Save on your trip with these resources

We use these aggregator companies to save time and money. They do the work for us by providing a list of options, prices, and reviews for anywhere we are travelling worldwide. Plus, we have personally had positive customer service experiences with all of them: 

  • Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
  • Hotels: we use Booking.com as they consistently return the best rates and their reviews are from actual guests. However, for self-contained lodging, use VRBO
  • Cars: we use RentalCars to find the best deals and dealer ratings.
  • Private guides: we often hire private guides from Tours by Locals
  • Travel Insurance: we start at InsureMyTrip as they are the best option to compare plans and find the right coverage for you.

Before you book the rest of your trip: Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.

We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.

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French flag in Lourdes France
Lourdes is a one of the most spiritual cities on earth. A Catholic pilgrimage destination, it is famous for its healing waters
A crown and cross outside the Basilica in Lourdes France

Some places stay with me forever. I am guessing that Lourdes will be one of them.

Have you experienced the Lourdes healing water?

Discover other areas in western Europe:

  • Things to Do in Carcassonne’s Medieval Fortified City
  • Salt Mines in Austria and Old Friends in Germany
  • Pyrenees Road Trip: Quaint Towns in France from Lourdes to Béziers
  • Saint Bertrand de Comminges: Charming French Village
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Category: Western EuropeTag: Church, France

About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. janetsiebert

    July 26, 2022 at 11:43 am

    Is that the real healing water that Christ blessed

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      July 26, 2022 at 5:46 pm

      There have been 70 confirmed miracles at Lourdes since the first apparition appeared in 1858. That feels pretty real to me.

      Reply
      • Maria

        September 16, 2022 at 1:24 pm

        Hi ma’am where is the miracles of lourdes in France where did we get the healing water it’s easy to get it in the cave ? I appreciate if you can answer me

        Reply
        • Rhonda Albom

          September 16, 2022 at 5:58 pm

          Thanks for reaching out. The water to fill our own water bottles was around the side of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. To get dipped in the healing waters, there are times when they do this. The line is long, and moves slowly, but even with that, I think was only about a 3-hour wait.

          Reply
  2. Tommy parle

    January 14, 2022 at 5:47 am

    I went in 1975, I was a 13 year old boy on a Liverpool Pilgrimage,the village was so beautiful, I was amazed by all all the people and their faith,so much so I returned 17 times (twice in 1983),my last visit was 1991,I really wish I could go back now,I miss the place so much.

    Reply
  3. Crystal

    October 1, 2019 at 3:46 am

    Since we will never be able to travel to Lourdes…..Is there a local company in Lourdes that will ship water from the Grotto to you?

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      October 2, 2019 at 12:05 pm

      Great question. I found some on Amazon and I will add it to the post above too. Here’s the link: https://amzn.to/2nCn3a2

      Reply
      • Cathy Sargood

        October 8, 2021 at 7:53 am

        Amazing experience for cousin and I. We met with nuns who were also cousins who invited us to be nuns. Powerful and moving experience

        Reply
  4. Rachael

    September 20, 2019 at 1:57 pm

    Wow! What an interesting place with such great history! I definitely learned something new – the place looks like something from a storybook

    Reply
  5. Sam

    September 19, 2019 at 3:30 am

    I can’t believe this is the first time I am hearing about Lourdes France! Adding it to my bucketlist!

    Reply
    • Michael Anderson

      September 9, 2021 at 11:21 pm

      Hi Sam,
      You must watch the movie The Song of Bernadette (1943) if you have not done so already. After seeing the movie several times, I have always wanted to travel to Lourdes France.

      Reply
  6. Tania Muthusamy

    September 18, 2019 at 10:37 pm

    A fascinating place I would be interested in seeing. I’m amazed these processions occur every night and yet there have only been supposedly 1% of people that have experienced a miracle cure!

    Reply
  7. Sarah

    September 18, 2019 at 5:39 pm

    The sanctuary is just one word – beautiful! This is the first time I’m coming across something as healing water. It is just so emotional to see the number of people joining every evening, that many people keeping their hopes up for a miracle in their lives. Hope they are able to get what they want 🙂

    Reply
  8. Kay

    September 18, 2019 at 2:18 pm

    I studied abroad in France and I can’t believe I missed out on visiting Lourdes!

    Reply
  9. Surani

    August 12, 2019 at 8:33 pm

    I want a crystal rosary

    Reply
  10. Carmen Edelson

    May 18, 2019 at 6:55 am

    I didn’t know about the healing water in Lourdes, very cool! I really want to explore more of France. I know Paris well but not the rest of the country!

    Reply
  11. Mohana and Aninda

    May 17, 2019 at 3:39 am

    The sanctuary of Our Lady of the Lourdes looks magnificent! The towering spires and the brightly lit altar looks beautiful. The town looks pretty too. I love the louvred windows in the houses!

    Reply
  12. Michael Hodgson

    May 15, 2019 at 1:31 pm

    Religion is such a mystery. As are the “rules” that guide the declarations and miracles so many espouse. Power of the mind or power of God or both or are they one and the same. Always an interesting topic of conversation. It would be fascinating to spend a few days in Lourdes observing the faithful, and especially the candlelight march. Great post!!!

    Reply
  13. The Holidaymaker

    May 15, 2019 at 10:43 am

    I am curious what brought you to this area in the first place, was it personal interest, did you know the history before going? Very interesting and as you said, will have a lasting impression on you.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 16, 2019 at 7:49 am

      We were living in Costa Brava Spain about 80 km south of the French border on a long-term home exchange. It was part of a massive road trip we did. We planned as we went, so we did not know the history when we started travelling, but we did before we arrived.

      Reply
  14. Candy

    May 14, 2019 at 2:55 pm

    Such a fun post! I never really thought about what constituted a miracle so the Vatican rules were very interesting. I have heard of miracle youth water in Japan and have always wanted to visit 🙂

    Reply
  15. Carol Colborn

    May 13, 2019 at 10:32 am

    Last year, I turned 70. I would now like to do my pilgrimages. This has convinced to include Lourdes with Santiago and Fatima.v

    Reply
  16. Wendy

    May 13, 2019 at 1:43 am

    The driving sounds intimadating, but the town looks beautiful. Is there public transportation? I love the thought of the candle light ceremony and it happens every night. This Lourdes looks like a great place to travel.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 13, 2019 at 9:55 am

      We parked our car once and never moved it again. We could walk everywhere.

      Reply
      • Richard

        October 14, 2021 at 7:18 am

        Are there car parks within walking distance of the town ?

        Reply
        • Rhonda Albom

          October 14, 2021 at 8:15 pm

          There were when we were there.

          Reply
  17. Heather

    May 12, 2019 at 3:19 pm

    I have not been there. I hadn’t heard of it before now. The first glance at it is just draw dropping and looks like it is something out of a fairytale movie scene. So every night they walk with candles? That is so interesting. Also interesting that you get naked and are helped into the water. Is this privately or can everyone see?

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 13, 2019 at 10:04 am

      The impression I got was that it was neither co-ed nor private. However, we didn’t do it. We walked out of the line after 30 minutes.

      Reply
  18. Jenn and Ed Coleman

    May 12, 2019 at 2:42 pm

    Wow, Jenn would so hate having her GPS directing her the wrong way down one-way streets. That’s something that they turn the signs every 15 days. I could see it happening and it might even be more to local businesses but dang that’s hard to follow. It would almost take a miracle for me to keep it all straight.

    Reply
  19. Joanne

    May 12, 2019 at 1:36 pm

    The sanctuary of Lourdes is so beautiful. I had no idea there were so many miracles after the original. I love seeking our former Roman ruins or buildings so the Chateau Fort would definitely be on my must visit list. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  20. Anda

    January 9, 2017 at 9:36 am

    I was really impressed about your story, Rhonda. While I don’t necessarily believe in miraculous healing, I know the power of faith can work miracles sometimes. I am not acquainted with this part of France at all, but I’d love to visit Lourdes someday.

    Reply
  21. Tony Payne

    October 3, 2012 at 4:47 am

    I guess as long as you didn’t drink the same water that thousands of sick people got dunked in you would be ok 🙂

    Reply
  22. Nora

    August 22, 2012 at 8:10 pm

    That sounds amazing! I wouldn’t picture myself that there were places like this on our planet, it must have been a really strange experience to see them. I am sure I wouldn’t get naked and dip in the cold water, and honestly, I am wondering why people can believe in things like that…

    Reply
    • Richard

      October 14, 2021 at 7:21 am

      If you don’t believe then it holds no power for you

      Reply
  23. Lynne

    August 21, 2012 at 7:49 pm

    You are probably well out of this area now but a couple other places worth visiting are the town of Cahors on a river bend of the Lot River north of Toulouse and Rocamadour which is another pilgrimage site high up on a peak above the Dordogne

    Reply
  24. Joyce

    August 21, 2012 at 2:52 pm

    Tres bien.

    Reply
    • Margaret

      February 12, 2022 at 12:53 pm

      I would like to receive Healing water from the spring of Our Lady of Lourdes for me and my family. We could never afford to travel there . God Bless

      Reply
  25. Lisa

    August 21, 2012 at 1:58 pm

    Hello no. I would have backed away like you LOL

    Reply
  26. Janis

    August 21, 2012 at 1:33 pm

    You hadn’t heard of Lourdes???

    Okay, so it is predominently a Catholic thing, at least I think it is

    Reply
  27. Comedy Plus

    August 21, 2012 at 11:39 am

    I wouldn’t have gotten in that water either so I would have left too. Drinking the water is quite different. I would have done that.

    Have a terrific day. 🙂

    Reply

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