lourdes grotte

518lynnep

I am not particularly religious and certainly not raised Catholic. I wanted to visit Lourdes because it is iconic and have previously visited Fatima in Portugal. It was a reasonable walk to the vasilica from the Town, the streets were lined with souvenir shops and hundreds of people which made me even more curious about this place. I was not disappointed. It was an amazing place and if in the area worth a visit just to see the glorious Church and the Cave. There was a service being held in the Grotto which had the attention of many people. My only let down was that this was in French and I am very limited with this language.

alany409

The surroundings cater for the large number of pilgrims which isn't the high spot but the heart of Lourdes is spellbinding with a very spiritual feel.

AlisonB824

It was very rainy last time I was at Lourdes in September of 2003. This autumn, it was mild and partly sunny. It was a much better experience. The holiness was still felt at the baths, stations and procession, but it was easier to enter into prayer without the slashing rain and icy winds. Not sure what that indicates about my piety. I suppose I am a fair weather pilgrim. But I highly recommend this site to the pilgrimage minded. The atmosphere was reverent despite the bustle and the setting is very beautiful.

ozdess9

You will read that the town is too commercial. You will read that there are no four or five star accomodations nearby. You will read that there is a trinkety sheen just steps away from the grotto. All of this, crepe stands included, could be true.However in the damp air of the Pyrenees foothills there is truly something special at Lourdes. There is a majestic basilica. Timed right, you can participate in mass in this holy setting. There are many sights to see but it is the throngs of miracle-seekers helped but the amazing volunteers that make this worth the trip. The healing waters attract believers from all over the world. The tears from those folks - tears of joy; tears of hope; tears of inspiration - will touch and reward you. Make the journey to Lourdes.

FarrellMLT

This was my first visit to Lourdes. We were in Toulouse and train connections in early January were not that good so we hired a car. Trip took about 2hrs. There were very few people in Lourdes at this time of year (2nd January) so much so that I managed to park just a 100m away from the grotte itself. To believers the place is amazing. My "excellent" rating is for that moment when you stand in that same place where Our Lady appeared to young Bernardette; it is indeed a moving experience. The basilica above is wonderful as well and we managed to hear holy Mass there. The town centre of Lourdes left me with mixed feelings: some areas were quite quaint but others were quite disappointing. Too commercialized to my liking! Some of the hotels I saw there are in urgent need of refurbishment so if you do plan to stay in Lourdes please do your homework properly as regards accommodation. Frankly, it is the Grotte that ought to drive anybody towards Lourdes; there are many more prettier towns in the south of France.

nj103

I recently traveled to Lourdes, france as one of the religious places to visit. It's a time for meditation and healing. I went there during off pilgrimage season, so I don't have to worry about lines to the bath, water, basilica, etc. one thing though that I would missed is the 930pm procession which I've read is so amazing to witness. The town is small that you could actually go around just in one to two days. Then the rest of my stays were devoted to visiting the grotto, prayers and reconciliation. The bath was really an amazing experience. I felt that I was healed physically and spiritually. Next year I'm hoping to visit Fatima and some places in France where st Bernadette sibourous is and the St Catherine's miraculous medal.

QuincyKid

My wife and I went to Lourdes for a healing and to find a prayerful sanctuary. Lourdes was wonderful. We have been to many holy sights from Jerusalem to Rome and points in between. Never have we experienced the level of devotion and care as we did at Lourdes. It was more than what we received; it was seeing the armies of volunteers minister to the handicapped pilgrims that effected us the most - and we are Protestants!!

JanetG218

Pretty little town . Road leading to the Grotto is full of souvenir shops as would be expected but still maintains an authentic feel as the ancient fronts have been preserved.Lunch sitting outside at a cafe overlooking the river was lovely. Prices were comparable to any other town so no advantage had been taken because of the tourist attractions.The Grotto and surrounding grounds were beautiful.No entrance fees for anything. If you wanted to buy a candle and have it lit at the Shrine that was easily done at a cost of less than a euro. Packed full of history. Queue to the Shrine was not too long with a possible wait of 10 minutes.This visit was in late September which was not peak tourist time Very peaceful feel about Lourdes.

KarenaU_12

Wow!!!! what a wonderful place to talk to the Blessed Mother and her son Jesus, I am blessed to have been given a chance to go two times to lourdes, my husband and I returned to Lourdes Feb. 2013, we had a great walk to see all the stations of the cross which are life size!!!!, to light a candle and drink the blessed water is a gift, we hope to return again someday!!!! Peace and Love!!!!!

iamormexico

We journeyed on a pilgrimage in August. I was in awe and very emotional the first few days. So many people finding hope that they may be healed and/or walk closer to God. I drank gallons of the Lourdes water everyday and I feel like I have experienced my own healing. Don't miss anything that takes place here. Everything is amazing!

HLD5225

The entire experience in Lourdes ranged for walking about, eating, staying in a local hotel and videotaping both the afternoon and evening PROCESSIONALS. The music broadcast through the area during the processionals is still a chilling sound as the video's (now converted to DVD) are played and shared. Harold and Helen La Duke. Auburn, WA. USA Our visit was in August 1996

MaltaKitty

A must visit to the Lourdes Grotte in France. We visited in March this year and it was a wonderful experience. We queued at 7 am to go to the baths, you have to get there early as people start queueing very early as the baths open at 9 am but close at 11am so be there on time so as to get in as after breakfast there will be a lot of people. The bath is an incredible experience, couldn t stop crying with emotion, especially as it was on my birthday! A must go to Pont D' espagne, a day trip visit, where you can ski, wonderful scenery and waterfalls. The visit can turn into a very pleasant holiday even for families with children. One can visit the Grotto anytime but gates close at night around 11pm so be sure your e out by that time. There are many cafes where one can relax in the evenings and thousands of souvenir shops! The night procession, the Flambeaux is a must. Don t miss this as people from around the world unite in one huge crowd and pray all holding candles. A truly unforgettable experinence.

RicardoN518

I have been going at least once a year at Lourdes, France. It's a place where I usually my inner human part get in touch with reality. A place where I can find real friends which only purpose in life is to help others. I volunteer (hospitalie of Notre Dame stagiaire 201)once a year for one week. My usual daily jobs are taking the sick out of the trains, airplanes or buses, and take them to the hospital. Help in the baths, help the daily mass and help anyone who needs it. We are a group of Catholics from Atlanta, Ga. Who spend a week helping in Lourdes and travel through Europe for two weeks, I invite you to help others and look at the person in their eyes no on their status.

Deirdre11od

I worked in Lourdes for the Summer of 2012. It was a pleasant experience, especially as I got to see the Grotto of Lourdes everyday. It is very peaceful down by the Grotto and there are people who work there to make sure people aren't disrespecting your quiet time at the Holy area. However it can get very crowded and people can lose each other easily but most groups meet at the Crown Virgin Statue. On leaving the sanctuaries, one needs to keep an eye out for beggars. Real homeless people have dogs with them, then there are those with their children- pay no heed to these, if you show them your purse, most likely they will try and steal it. The Baths there are also very popular, usually when its very warm or very cold is the best time to go. The Female baths are always so much busier but with Lourdes those with wheelchairs get priority in absolutely everything- as how it should be.

martindhogan

This is the first time I got to take the family to Lourdes- and as always the tackiness of the town is left behind and forgotten the moment one gets to the Grotto- and believer or not- the devotion and love is a remarkable sight and experience., I admire the helpers and the supporters of the pilgrims so very much- and despite the concentration of desperately ill people and their entourages- it remains a wonderful beacon of hope and faith.