Lourdes

Don’t Miss

This small French market town is most famous for the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes, reportedly seen by Bernadette Soubirous in the Grotte de Massabielle. But the popular pilgrimage destination also contains one of the largest and most architecturally interesting churches in the world, the Basilica of Pius X.

Retail Therapy

If you’re not after religious memorabilia you may find shopping in Lourdes difficult, as statuettes of saints, rosaries and candles are everywhere. Flanking the famed Grotto, the Sanctuary starts a run of hundreds of shops selling virgin emblazoned paraphernalia.

Eat and Drink

Drink the water from La Source spring, it’s believed to have healing properties and is one of the reasons an estimated five million pilgrims target the town every year. As for food, stay away from the hopelessly crowded tourist areas and head to a back-street tavern for tender Pyrenean lamb with Tarbais haricots.

Hidden Gem

The naturally beautiful Grottes de Betharram are some of the most interesting in the world, owing to their development in a variety of formations.