- Lourdes possesses the second-highest number of hotels in France, exceeded only by Paris, due to its massive annual influx of pilgrims.
- The city's location in the Pyrenees makes it the primary gateway for major cycling stages in the Tour de France.
- The subterranean Basilica of St. Pius X was specifically engineered to accommodate up to 25,000 worshippers at once.
- Lourdes serves as a major tactical and historic bridge between the Gascony region and the mountain passes leading to Spain.
About Lourdes
Lourdes is a globally significant pilgrimage destination nestled in the foothills of the French Pyrenees. The city centers on the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, which incorporates the Grotte de Massabielle where Bernadette Soubirous reported apparitions in 1858. Beyond its spiritual importance, the city features the rugged medieval architecture of the Château Fort Musée Pyrénéen. Visitors frequently explore the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and the cavernous Basilica of St. Pius X, which collectively define the region's unique religious landscape.
Highlights of Lourdes
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Temples
This expansive complex serves as the spiritual heart of the city and the primary site for international pilgrimage.
Temples
Visit the site where the spring water associated with the city's miraculous reputation was discovered.
Historical places
The fortress offers a comprehensive museum of Pyrenean arts and culture alongside panoramic views of the city.
Places of interest
Take the vintage funicular railway to reach the summit for expansive vistas of the surrounding mountain range.
Temples
Experience the unique engineering of this massive underground basilica designed to house thousands of pilgrims.
Temples
View the intricate gold mosaics and Romanesque-Byzantine architecture characterizing this lower-level basilica.
Museums
Tour the childhood home of Saint Bernadette to see personal artifacts and gain insight into her early life.
Museums
Explore the historic watermill where Saint Bernadette lived with her family before the events of 1858.
Top things to do in Lourdes
The 178 highest-rated places in Lourdes, ranked by travellers.
1
Parks
Parc national des Pyrénées stretches 100 kilometers along the Franco-Spanish border, covering over 45,000 hectares of hi...
2
Temples
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is a major Catholic pilgrimage site built around the Grotto of Massabielle, where B...
3
Temples
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary is a Neo-Byzantine church located within the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. De...
4
Places of interest
Pont d'Espagne is a protected gateway to the Pyrenees National Park, defined by its high-altitude waterfalls and glacial...
5
Zoos
The Animal Park of the Pyrenees is a mountainside zoological facility located in the French Pyrenees, focused on regiona...
6
Places of interest
The Petit Train d'Artouste is Europe's highest narrow-gauge tourist railway, reaching an altitude of 2,000 meters in the...
7
Temples
The Basilica of St. Pius X is a subterranean concrete church located within the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in Fran...
8
Natural attractions
The Téléphérique du Pic du Midi de Bigorre is a cable car system connecting the La Mongie resort to the summit of Pic du...
9
Natural attractions
10
Natural attractions
11
Places of interest
12
Historical places
13
Temples
14
Zoos
15
Natural attractions
16
Parks
17
Natural attractions
18
Natural attractions
19
Temples
20
Museums
21
Natural attractions
22
Natural attractions
23
Places of interest
24
Parks
25
Places of interest
26
Parks
27
Natural attractions
28
Parks
29
Natural attractions
30
Natural attractions
Explore by category
Jump straight to what you're into.
Lourdes on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Lourdes
May to October, as the official pilgrimage season provides full access to all religious facilities and outdoor mountain excursions.
2-3 days to balance visits to the religious sanctuaries with the historical fortress and regional mountain scenery.
The city center and primary sanctuary areas are highly walkable, with a local shuttle bus network serving the wider urban area.
Staying near the Sanctuary entrance provides convenient access to all major religious sites, while areas closer to the town center offer a mix of local shops and mountain views.
Generally mid-range, offering a wide spectrum of accommodation from modest guesthouses to larger hotels.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 178 curated attractions in and around Lourdes, ranked by traveller ratings.
Parc national des Pyrénées is the highest-rated place to visit in Lourdes right now.
The largest category is temples, with 57 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Madrid, Vigo, Barcelona.
Explore more of Spain
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
