Lourdes, who doesn't know it.

After Rome, Lourdes is the largest Catholic pilgrimage site.
The city became famous for the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.
The sanctuaries of Lourdes are located along the banks of the Gave de Pau river.

Millions of visitors and pilgrims visit the city every year.

Shops selling religious articles, cafés, and restaurants entice visitors in every language.

Not to be missed is the grotto where the Virgin appeared eighteen times. The area with the bathhouses is particularly impressive.

As you walk towards the grotto, you first arrive at the large square. There you see the Notre-Dame Basilica and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

To the right of the square is the underground Pius X Basilica, which can accommodate 25,000 visitors.

The Saint-Bernadette Square and the Way of the Cross with its 15 stations are also considered the most important places in the religious city.

Lourdes has a unique spiritual and mystical atmosphere.

The fortress towering high above the city is also open to visitors.

 

The nature in the Ariège is overwhelmingly beautiful. The rolling hills almost make you feel like you are in Tuscany, while in the background you can see the high peaks of the Pyrenees. There are fast-flowing mountain streams, remarkable caves, and beautiful reservoirs.