The mill was powered by the lapes, a small canal that runs through the town.
Bernadette's family occupied the rooms above the mill as part of their tenancy agreement.
The house became a place of pilgrimage shortly after the apparitions were recognized by the Catholic Church.
The building was converted into a museum in the 20th century to preserve the history of the Soubirous family.
The structure is built from local stone and timber, typical of Pyrenean regional architecture of the 1800s.
The Molino de Boly, also known as the Boly Mill, is the birthplace of Saint Bernadette Soubirous and served as the Soubirous family home from 1844 to 1854. Bernadette was born here on January 7, 1844, and lived in the building during her early childhood before the family faced extreme financial hardship. The structure operated as a functioning flour mill operated by her father, François Soubirous, until the family was forced to leave due to a decline in business. The interior has been restored to reflect the mid-19th-century living conditions of a struggling working-class family in Lourdes. It now serves as a museum dedicated to her life and the socioeconomic context of her upbringing. Visitors can observe the original milling machinery and the cramped living quarters that shaped her early years. The site is part of the 'Bernadette's Paths' pilgrimage circuit in Lourdes.
The exterior facade featuring the historic stone entryway and the mill canal.
Combine this visit with the 'Cachot' to understand the drastic decline in the family's living conditions.
Visit the visitor center nearby for maps that link the various historic sites of Bernadette's life.
Rushing through the exhibition; the historical context is best understood by reading the displayed period placards.
Open daily, but hours are reduced during the winter off-season.
Maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor as this is a site of religious and historical significance.
