visiting Lourdes, France

The site of the Church and grotto are indeed quite beautiful and well worth the visit.

The town itself is a bit disappointing. It's kind of like one giant souvenier shop where can buy anything from a swiss army knife to a bic lighter, all with an image of our Lady of lourdes on them.

Again, the site is beautiful, but I would recommend taking the TGV to either Pau or Toulouse and stay there, and take a bus or taxi into Lourdes for the day.

Also, if you want to take some of the spring water, I would go to the Monoprix in Paris and buy a couple of small "shampoo" travel bottles to bring with you. They sell them in Lourdes, but they're overpriced.

Whether you believe in the healing powers or not, it's still an impressive site.

We flew to Lourdes upon arrival in CDG and stayed in Paris after there. Our purpose was to participate in the masses and processions so we chose a hotel that is nearest the basilica. It was a very good one called Hotel Saind Saveur (there are other hotels in the same company but this one is the nearest). The orig spring is in the grotto (the basilica is built on top of it) and it is covered by glass so you can still see it. They pipe the waters from there to the side of the basilica where you can get them from the faucets. The Stations of the Cross in a hill near there is also beautiful in the morning esp. Take the little trams that run around town (hop on and off) and stop at the funicular that takes you up the highest point of Lourdes for a gorgeous view of the valley below.

Just arrived back home from Lourdes. I originally booked the Grand Hotel Gallia & Londres Hotel but they had some problems after the floods of June 2013 and they transferred us to the La Solitude Hotel which is part of the Hotel Vinuales group of hotels in Lourdes. both hotels are 4 star hotels. I really wanted the old world style of the Grand Hotel but was happy with the La Solitude. I asked for a balcony room which was right over the river and very lovely. The decor of the room was o.k. but it was very clean and comfortable. The night time staff at the front desk were not as friendly as the day staff. The restaurant staff were very friendly and the food was good but not great. The location was perfect. Very close to the religious sites. I agree with others that unfortunately, outside of the grotto area, the town is one souviner store after another but then I did buy alot of souviners anyway. The nightime procession and the Eucharistic procession is very inspiring (I am a devout Catholic. Don't know what it is like for non Catholics).
My husband has a bad back and had trouble during our travels in France before we went to Lourdes. While in Lourdes he didn't have any pain at all. Unfortunately, after leaving Lourdes by train, he had to lift a heavy suitcase and hurt his back again. But he after seeing all those in wheelchairs and sicker than he is, he came to the realization that he is so much healthier than some of these other people and felt an acceptance of his illness. which if not healed in Lourdes, acceptance of your illness is what alot of people say has happened to them.

Just arrived back home from Lourdes. I originally booked the Grand Hotel Gallia & Londres Hotel but they had some problems after the floods of June 2013 and they transferred us to the La Solitude Hotel which is part of the Hotel Vinuales group of hotels in Lourdes. both hotels are 4 star hotels. I really wanted the old world style of the Grand Hotel but was happy with the La Solitude. I asked for a balcony room which was right over the river and very lovely. The decor of the room was o.k. but it was very clean and comfortable. The night time staff at the front desk were not as friendly as the day staff. The restaurant staff were very friendly and the food was good but not great. The location was perfect. Very close to the religious sites. I agree with others that unfortunately, outside of the grotto area, the town is one souviner store after another but then I did buy alot of souviners anyway. The nightime procession and the Eucharistic procession is very inspiring (I am a devout Catholic. Don't know what it is like for non Catholics).
My husband has a bad back and had trouble during our travels in France before we went to Lourdes. While in Lourdes he didn't have any pain at all. Unfortunately, after leaving Lourdes by train, he had to lift a heavy suitcase and hurt his back again. But he after seeing all those in wheelchairs and sicker than he is, he came to the realization that he is so much healthier than some of these other people and felt an acceptance of his illness. which if not healed in Lourdes, acceptance of your illness is what alot of people say has happened to them.

Just arrived back home from Lourdes. I originally booked the Grand Hotel Gallia & Londres Hotel but they had some problems after the floods of June 2013 and they transferred us to the La Solitude Hotel which is part of the Hotel Vinuales group of hotels in Lourdes. both hotels are 4 star hotels. I really wanted the old world style of the Grand Hotel but was happy with the La Solitude. I asked for a balcony room which was right over the river and very lovely. The decor of the room was o.k. but it was very clean and comfortable. The night time staff at the front desk were not as friendly as the day staff. The restaurant staff were very friendly and the food was good but not great. The location was perfect. Very close to the religious sites. I agree with others that unfortunately, outside of the grotto area, the town is one souviner store after another but then I did buy alot of souviners anyway. The nightime procession and the Eucharistic procession is very inspiring (I am a devout Catholic. Don't know what it is like for non Catholics).
My husband has a bad back and had trouble during our travels in France before we went to Lourdes. While in Lourdes he didn't have any pain at all. Unfortunately, after leaving Lourdes by train, he had to lift a heavy suitcase and hurt his back again. But he after seeing all those in wheelchairs and sicker than he is, he came to the realization that he is so much healthier than some of these other people and felt an acceptance of his illness. which if not healed in Lourdes, acceptance of your illness is what alot of people say has happened to them.