How to get around Lourdes?
Lourdes is mostly pedestrian friendly, but a fun way to see the major points of interest is to take a trip on the hop-on / hop-off ‘Petit train’. This starts at the St. Joseph’s gate entrance to the Sanctuary and the round trip takes 45 minutes.
How long is the train ride from Paris to Lourdes?
Pancras to Paris Nord. then transfer by underground train to Paris Montparnasse for train to Lourdes. Total journey time is approximately 10 hours.
How often does the shuttle service run to Saint Joseph's Gate?
Shuttle service (City Bus) from stop situated on footpath after the taxi rank / car park, operates every 15 minutes during the pilgrimage season to the Saint Joseph's gate entrance to the Sanctuaries, stopping at convenient locations for many hotels.
What to wear in the caves?
What to wear. Dress respectfully while inside the Sanctuary area and wear comfortable shoes. Shawls are provided for ladies with uncovered shoulders who wish to walk through the cave. In case of sudden rain, carry a fold-up raincoat with a hood as umbrellas can be cumbersome when moving among large crowds.
How long is Magabus service to Toulouse?
Magabus operates a twice daily service to Toulouse, (5hrs.30mins) from where you can take the train to Lourdes.
How many nights do you stay in Lourdes?
To really experience the true essence of Lourdes, a minimum of 3 nights would be preferable.
Where is Bayonne station?
Bayonne station is 3 miles/5km from Biarritz airport. Buses and taxis available. Train times from elsewhere in France should be checked at www.voyages-sncf.com or https://www.capitainetrain.com/ and note that reservations are compulsory on TGV and the night-time Intercity trains.
Gastronomy
In Hautes-Pyrénées, to really get to know our land you need to experience our gastronomy. It’s part of everyday life, especially at festival time.
Services
Restaurants: Around a hundred restaurants (local and international cuisine) Accommodation: 183 hotels (22,129 beds), 9 tourist hostels, 12 campsites, furnished rentals and gîtes, group lodgings
Visiting
Sanctuaries of Our Lady of Lourdes open all year round, 24 hours a day - Free admission
Why do pilgrims drink Lourdes water?
The original spring can be seen within the Grotto, lit from below and protected by a glass screen. Pilgrims drink Lourdes water due to its reputed healing power. The water is accessed from individual taps located between the grotto and the baths, The water from Lourdes was thoroughly analysed by independent chemists in 1858 and 1859, and does not appear to have a latent power to cure and has no special scientific or medicinal properties. Despite this, the water is itself a strong symbol of devotion for Lourdes pilgrims, and many buy statues and rosary beads containing small vials of it, and take home large plastic containers of it.
What is the name of the shrine in Notre-Dame de Lourdes?
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes ( French: Sanctuaire de Notre-Dame de Lourdes) or the Domain (as it is most commonly known) is an area of ground surrounding the Catholic shrine ( Grotto) to Our Lady of Lourdes in the town of Lourdes, France. The Sanctuary is a destination for pilgrimage; sick pilgrims are reputed to be miraculously healed by Lourdes water. This ground is owned and administered by the Roman Catholic Church, and has several functions, including devotional activities, offices, and accommodation for sick pilgrims and their helpers. The Domain includes the Grotto itself, the nearby taps which dispense the Lourdes water, and the offices of the Lourdes Medical Bureau, as well as several churches and basilicas. It comprises an area of 51 hectares, and includes 22 separate places of worship. There are six official languages of the Sanctuary: French, English, Italian, Spanish, Dutch and German.
What is the Lourdes hymn?
All five decades are recited, usually in a variety of languages. The Lourdes Hymn is also sung, with verses in different languages. Intercessions may be invoked followed by the Laudate Mariam. There is a final blessing in Latin, and then an invitation to exchange the Sign of peace with fellow pilgrims.
Where is the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes?
The shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, in France, began in the 19th century AD. In 1858 from February 11 to July 16, a 14-year-old peasant girl, called Bernadette Soubirous, saw a vision of the Virgin Mary while playing in the stream with her sister and friend. The vision was of Mary standing next to a rose bush at the entrance to the Massabielle grotto, on the left bank of the stream. Bernadette saw this vision 18 times. She told her sister not to tell their parents but she was bad at keeping secrets so she told their parents and they were mad at them and punished them and told them never to go there again but she went there anyways. She was told that a spring would appear, and that people were to come in procession.
What is the name of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception?
The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, commonly known as the Upper Basilica, Lourdes. The Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes is responsible for the spiritual governance of the Domain. He appoints a local representative, who is called the Rector.
How many languages are there in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes?
It comprises an area of 51 hectares, and includes 22 separate places of worship. There are six official languages of the Sanctuary: French, English, Italian, Spanish, Dutch and German. Grottos intended as replicas of the one at Our Lady of Lourdes, and other grottos in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes, are often described as " Lourdes grottos ".
When was the Heart of Lourdes project completed?
Begun at the end of 2014, work on the Project of the Grotto Heart of Lourdes was completed in early spring 2018. The Buildings of France and the INCA architectural firm took part in this project which lasted four years.
What is the average temperature in Spain in January?
About 10 km (6 mi) to the south lies the border with Spain. The wind is quite common, and can increase the sensation of cold, even though the föhn wind can sometimes blow from the Pyrenees, able to bring mild days even in winter. The daily average temperature ranges from is 4.5 °C (40 °F) in January to 19 °C (66 °F) in August.
How much sunshine does Lourdes have?
On average, there are 1,950 hours of sunshine per year.
How hot was the temperature at Tarbes-Ossun airport?
At the Tarbes-Ossun airport, located at 370 meters (1,200 ft) above sea level, the temperature dropped to -16 °C (3 °F) in January 1985, to -10.5 °C (13 °F) in February 1986, to -15 °C (5 °F) in January 1987, to -10 °C (14 °F) in January 2007, to -9.5 °C (15 °F) in January 2012, and to -11 °C (12 °F) in February 2012.
What is the driest month in the year?
In an average year, about 1,000 millimeters (40 inches) of rain fall, well distributed over the seasons, however, the (relatively) driest season is summer. July is the driest month, November the wettest. Here is the average precipitation. Winter, from December to February, is relatively mild.
What is the climate in Lourdes?
The climate in Lourdes is temperate, and influenced by the ocean. Lourdes is a French town located at the foot of the Pyrenees, 400 meters (1,300 feet) above sea level, practically at the prime meridian.
When is the best time to visit Lourdes?
Best Time. The best time to visit Lourdes runs from June to September, since it is the warmest and driest period of the year. May and October, though rainier, may be fine too, although it can sometimes get cold, especially in the first half of May and in the second half of October.
Is winter mild?
Winter, from December to February, is relatively mild. At night, the temperature is normally around freezing (0 °C or 32 °F), while during the day, it's about 10 °C (50 °F). However, there may be variations depending on the weather situation. When the winds blow from the ocean, the temperature is quite mild but the rains are frequent. On the other hand, the cold winds from the north or the east can bring snowfalls and frosts.
