PILGRIMAGES IN FRANCE

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1. History

Lourdes is a French city and commune located in the west of the Hautes-Pyrénées department, in the Occitanie region. Historically and culturally, the commune is in the former county of Bigorre, a historic county of the French Pyrenees and Gascony.

A Catholic pilgrimage center since the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1858, it welcomes 6 million pilgrims or visitors from all over the world each year, including around 60,000 sick and disabled people. It is the fourth most popular Catholic Marian pilgrimage site after the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal.

2. Program

The sanctuary of Lourdes has been an important place of pilgrimages since the apparitions of the Immaculate Conception to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.

Every August 15, it notably hosts the French National Pilgrimage, on the occasion of the Assumption.

However, you have complete freedom to go on pilgrimage at any other time of the year! With family or with a parish group.

The Lourdes pilgrimage includes several stages. In addition to the Marian sanctuary, you will have the pleasure of praying in other holy places such as Santiago de Compostela, in Spain.

3. Your trip

For your comfort and safety, we favor direct flights to France.

Your pilgrimage begins as soon as you arrive in Paris, Toulouse or Bordeaux.

Indeed, during the journey which takes you to Lourdes, a guide will show you the towns and villages along the way.

Groups of 40 people or more are accompanied by a priest throughout the stay.

A doctor also accompanies the delegation.