Things to do in Lourdes
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Sanctuaires Notre Dame de Lourdes
The development of the Sanctuaries of Our Lady of Lourdes began within a decade of Ste Bernadette's apparitions in 1858. The main site is approached via one of two gateways; the Porte St-Michel and Porte St-Joseph or the Entrée des Lacets.
The most dramatic approach is via the Port St-Joseph, from where a broad boulevard sweeps west towards the Byzantine Basilique du Rosaire (Basilica of the Rosary), and the Basilique Supérieure (Upper Basilica), topped by lavishly gilded turrets and tiled frescos depicting Bernadette's visions. Beneath the basilica is Lourdes' most revered site, the Grotte de Massabielle (sometimes known as the Grotte Miraculeuse or the Grotte des Appar…
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Château Fort
On a rocky pinnacle above town squats this imposing castle. There's been some kind of stronghold on this site since Roman times, but the present building is largely medieval, including the stout walls and the central keep. The castle was fortified again in the 17th and 18th centuries, and served as a state prison following the Revolution.
Since the 1920s, the castle has housed the Musée Pyrénéen, which owns one of the region's largest collections of folk art, rural artefacts, tools and other exhibits.
Take the free lift (elevator) from rue Baron Duprat or walk up the ramp at the northern end of rue du Bourg.
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Pic du Jer
When the crowds of pilgrims get too much, you can take refuge on the rocky 94m-high pinnacle of the Pic du Jer, which offers panoramic views of Lourdes and the central chain of the Pyrenees.
There are two routes to the top: a punishing three-hour slog along a signed trail, or a speedy six-minute ride on the century-old funicular. We'll leave it up to you to decide which is the more rewarding.
Either way, the summit makes a superb spot for a picnic. There's a choice of routes back down: a black-run mountain-bike trail, or a more family-friendly option along the Voie Verte des Gaves, a decommissioned railway that finishes up at the lower funicular station.
Take bus 2 from plac…
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Les Voies Vertes des Gaves
To get away from Bernadette Soubirous for a day, hire a cycle and head for the mountains along all or part of Les Voies Vertes des Gaves or Mountain Streams Green Routes. This follows the old, long-abandoned Lourdes-Cauterets train line up the lovely Vallée des Gaves all the way to Cauterets, from where you can catch a bus back to Lourdes.
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Chemin de Croix
The Chemin de Croix (Way of the Cross, sometimes known as the Chemin du Calvaire) leads for 1.5km up the forested hillside from the Basilique Supérieure past 14 Stations of the Cross. Especially devout pilgrims mount to the first station on their knees.
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Restaurant le Magret
The only place in town worthy of recommendation, a rustic restaurant dotted with sepia-tinted photos of Lourdes. It's strong on regional cuisine – particularly pork, trout, duck and cheese from the Vallée d'Ossau – but the ambience might be a little dingy for some.
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Le Luma
This great little neighbourhood place with barely half a dozen tables is well worth the short walk away from the tourist eating emporiums. The three-course set menu is a bargain and includes buffet hors d'oeuvres.
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Le Dubliner's
Poke your nose into Le Dubliner's. It's a rarity in France - you stand a chance of actually meeting an Irish drinker in an Irish pub; every year over 30,000 Hibernians make the pilgrimage to Lourdes.
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Hôtel Arcades
The restaurant of Hôtel Arcades, open daily year-round, could save you from starvation. Entry is directly from the street, the service is swift and smiling and the food more than acceptable.
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Le Cardinal
Le Cardinal is an unpretentious bar/brasserie where the staff of the tourist office lunch - and they should know what's best. Tuck into steak, pork or chicken, garnished with chips and salad.
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Maison Paternelle de Ste-Bernadette
The Maison Paternelle de Ste-Bernadette is the house that the town of Lourdes bought for the Soubirous family after Bernadette saw the apparitions.
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Reflet des Îles
The restaurant of Hôtel Saint-Pierre serves spicy dishes from the Indian Ocean island of La Réunion, as well as less exotic French cuisine.
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L'Ardiden
It's well worth the short walk upstream to L'Ardiden, pleasantly situated beside Pont Peyramale and the river and strong on pizza and pasta.
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Le Cachot
Le Cachot, a former prison, is where Bernadette lived during the period when she saw the apparitions.
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Le Soleil
This North African restaurant - a bold Muslim presence in such a fervently Catholic town - specialises in couscous.
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Musée de Lourdes
Musée de Lourdes explores the town’s history and the life of Ste Bernadette.
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Moulin de Boly
The Moulin de Boly, Bernadette’s birthplace, is on rue Bernadette Soubirous.
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Book Shop
Mainly stocks titles relating to Lourdes plus a few novels, travel titles and walking maps.
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Cinéma Bernadette
The Cinéma Bernadette shows the two-hour feature film Bernadette.
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