| Planning a short break to Lourdes? Check out Travel Library's recommended Top 10 Things To Do in Lourdes. It's a perfect companion for weekend city breaks to Lourdes. Once you've been you can add your own tips and suggestions to help other visitors. |
| Top 10 Things in Lourdes on a Short Break |
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 Musée St-Bernadette - Cutural Attraction |
Tel 05-62-42-78-78. This museum contains scenes from the life of the saint. It is open daily from 10 am to noon and 2.30 pm to 5 pm.
Maison Natale de Bernadette - rue Bernadette-Soubirous, Tel 05-62-42-16-36. Where the saint was born on January 7, 1844, is also worth a visit. The house is open for visitors from November through March daily from 3 pm to 5 pm and April through October daily from 10 am to noon and 2 pm to 6.30 pm. This house actually belonged to Bernadette's mother. Admission is free.
Le Moulin Lacadé - 2 rue Bernadette-Soubirous, Tel 05-62-94-22-51. The home of Bernadette's father, François Soubirous, is also a shrine. You can visit this home every day from 9 am to 12.15 pm and 2.15 pm to 7 pm between April and October. It's closed the rest of the year. It is 1.50€ for entrance to the Moulin Lacadé.
Visit the Office de Tourisme is on place Peyramale Tel 05-62-42-77-40 or visit www.lourdes-france.com |
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 Château-Fort de Lourdes and Musée Pyrénéen - Tourist Attraction |
25 rue du Fort, Tel 05-62-42-37-37, Lourdes. For a panoramic view, take an elevator to the terrace of the this fantastic example of medieval military architecture. The Musée Pyrénéen, is located in the chateau. Here you will be able to see regional handcrafts and costumes, including a collection of dolls in nuns' habits. The courtyard displays some scale models of different styles of regional architecture. From April to September, both the château and its museum are open daily from 9 am to noon, and 1.30 pm to 6.30 pm and in October to March open Wednesday through Monday from 9 am to noon and 2 pm to 6 pm. Admission is 5€ adults, 2.50€ children 6 to 12, and free for children under 6.
Visit the Office de Tourisme is on place Peyramale Tel 05-62-42-77-40 or visit www.lourdes-france.com |
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 Little Tourist Train - Tourist Attraction |
place Mgr Laurence, Lourdes. This excursion covers 7,5 km, and lasts about 45 minutes. You will see the Cité Mariale, the old quarters, the upper town and its historic buildings. You will have the opportunity to leave the train and visit the some of the most beautiful tourist sites in Lourdes. If you need any further information, ask the driver/guide. The train runs from April to November and leaves every 20 minutes at 8.55 am to 11.35 am and from 1.30 pm to 6 pm. The nocturnal visit tales place form 08.30 pm. Tariffs for adults are 5,50€ and 2.50€ for children. Descriptive leaflets available.
Visit the Office de Tourisme is on place Peyramale Tel 05-62-42-77-40 or visit www.lourdes-france.com |
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 Les Grottes de Médous - Natural Attraction |
Tel 05-62-91-78-46. Located 23 km southeast of Lourdes, in the hamlet of Aste, you'll find lots of big and dramatic caves. They were formed, along with numerous stalactites and stalagmites, by an underground river. You can reach them by following the signs to les Grottes de Médous along the D26. Open from April to mid-October, daily from 8.30 am to 11.15 am and 2 pm to 5.30 pm; July and August from 9 am to noon and 2 pm to 6 pm. Admission is 7€ for adults and 3.75€ for children ages 5 to 10. If you have time for a full-fledged tour from Lourdes to the Pyrénées, drive along the D921 to the mountainous national park Cirque de Gavarnie (Heights of Gavarnie). The distance from Lourdes to the center of the region is 52 km.
Visit the Office de Tourisme is on place Peyramale Tel 05-62-42-77-40 or visit www.lourdes-france.com |
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 The Grévin Museum - Cutural Attraction |
87 rue de la Grotte, Lourdes. The Grévin Museum of Lourdes is one of the most popular tourist activities of the town. It has been visited by more than 2 000 000 visitors since its opening and is therefore known throughout the world. You are guaranteed a visit and experience of quality and authenticity. You will be taken through 18 scenes and see more than 100 life-size wax characters, presented by the decorators of the famous Musée Grévin of Paris. You will relive the fascinating story of Jesus Christ and of the life of Bernadette. You will not easily forget this experience! The museum has recently unveiled the scene that everyone was waiting for in Lourdes. A faithful reproduction of the shrine where Saint Bernadette lies in Nevers. Open every day from April to November 9 am to 11.40 am and from 1.30 pm to 6.30 pm; July and August, nocturnal from 8.30 pm to 10.00 pm. The length of visit is about 35min. Descriptive leaflets are available. Admission for adults is
5.70€ and children 6 to 12 years old pay 2.95€..
Visit the Office de Tourisme is on place Peyramale Tel 05-62-42-77-40 or visit www.lourdes-france.com |
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 Markets in and around Lourdes - Tourist Attraction |
Lourdes’ market takes place on Saturdays and every 2nd Thursday. It is located in the heart of the city, around the covered market, near the bandstand and the Congress Center. Here you can buy regional products and take in the daily lively activity.
The Horses Market takes place three times a year from 28 April to 18 October and on 1 December. Breeders from all over the South of France gather here during this time. Other markets where numerous traditions are mixed include: Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre, Tel 33 (0)5 62 41 88 10, Wednesday mornings; Bagnères-de-Bigorre, Tel 33 (0)5 62 95 50 71, Saturdays; Luz-Saint Sauveur, Tel 33 (0)5 62 92 30 30, Mondays in the old part of Luz; Argelès-Gazost, Tel 33 (0)5 62 97 00 25, Tuesdays all day.
Visit the Office de Tourisme is on place Peyramale Tel 05-62-42-77-40 or visit www.lourdes-france.com |
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 Special Events - Tourist Attraction |
From July 1 to September 20, tourists and pilgrims gather for the Day of Pilgrims (Pélérin d'un Jour). Tel 05-62-42-78-78 for more information. This pilgrimage (in English) starts at 8.30 am at the statue of the Crowned Virgin with a prayer meeting. The services include a 9.30 am Stations of the Cross and a Mass at 11 am. At 2.30 pm the pilgrims assemble at the same spot. They are then taken on a guided tour to the Sanctuaries and other places associated with Bernadette. You'll hear the story of Lourdes and of Bernadette which include a free 30-minute slide show (also in English). At 4.30 pm the Procession of the Blessed Eucharist, start from the Grotto. The Marian celebration, rosary, and torchlight procession at 8.45 pm, start from the Grotto as well.
Contact the Office de Tourisme on place Peyramale Tel 05-62-42-77-40 or visit www.lourdes-france.com |
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 Relais de Saux - Restaurant or Cafe |
Route de Tarbes (N21), Lourdes. Take N21 3 km north of Lourdes to the village of Saux. From there follow the signs to Tarbes.
This ivy-covered manor is the best restaurant in the area. Its foundations date from the 15th century. The decor and the carved wood fireplaces, beamed ceilings and silk-upholstered wall all lend to the atmosphere of this inn. Innkeepers Madeleine and Bernard Hères supervise meals. The sepcialise in cuisine of the Pyrénées. Start with a selection of hot or cold hors d'oeuvres which include from beet flan with cheese fondue to smoked swordfish. For a main course try the delectable boneless quail and the escalope of warm duck liver. The Inn has six guest rooms available if you feel like spending the night. Open daily noon to 2 pm and 7.15 pm to 9.30 pm. Closed for 2 weeks in November. Reservations are recommended.
For info go to www.sudfr.com/relais.de.saux/ |
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 Exploring the Pyrenees - Natural Attraction |
Take some time to explore this breathtakingly beautiful area. Take a tour of the snowcapped mountains across the border to Spain or explore the area near Lac de Lordes on horseback. One outstanding site is Bagnères-de-Bigorre, a well known thermal spa about 23 km east of Lourdes. A visit to Pic de Jer, 933 m above sea level, will reward you with a view of the surrounding countryside.
You can reach the summit by boarding the Pic de Jer funicular, which departs from the south side of esplanade des Proceswinos in the center of Lourdes. A round-trip will cost 7€ for adults, 3.05€ for students and children ages 6 to 12. At the summit, you'll see the entrance to some caves, Les Grottes de Jer
This attraction is open from April to October daily from 1.30 pm to 6.15 pm; May through September daily from 10 am to 6.30 pm. They're closed the rest of the year. Admission to the grottos costs 2€ per person, no reduction for children.
For more information on the funicular and the grottos contact Tel 05-62-94-00-41. www.lourdes-france.com |
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 Grand Hôtel de la Grotte - Hotel |
66-68 rue de la Grotte, Lourdes. This old favourite has catered to pilgrims and to an increasing degree, tourists, since 1870. It remains the best choice for an accommodation in Lourdes. It is comfortably furnished in upper-bourgeois French decor.
Some rooms on the upper floor has one of the most panoramic views in town.
From here you will not only see the sanctuaries and the river, but the mountains as well. Rooms on the basilica side tend to be noisy. Each room is equipped with a modernized midsize bathroom with tub and shower.
The hotel garden beside the banks of the river Gave de Pau provide a peaceful sanctuary.
Website : www.hotel-grotte.com |
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