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There are also many places to see in Lourdes and below we list just some ideas for you to peruse over.
(The Way of the Cross)
There are actually three Ways of the Cross in Lourdes, the High Stations, the Low Stations and one in the Basilica of St Pius X.
The High Stations (pictured) are open every day of the year. Between Easter and All Saints from 6 AM to 7 PM, the rest of the year between 8 AM and 5 PM. Anyone wishing to join a priest who will lead the making of the Way of the Cross, should meet at 9 AM by the Statue of the Crowned Virgin.
This is by far the most impressive way to make the Way of the Cross. Nearly one mile in length (1600m.), the Way winds upwards, climbing very steeply up the Mount of Espelugues, called mount Calvary. The journey starts from the entrance which faces the upper basilica. There are 15 large stations all with larger than life bronze statues, depicting the various stages of Jesus' last journey. The Way of the Cross is walked to follow Jesus on his last journey and to stop on the way to think and pray. Although the High Stations follows a rough stony track, I have seen people walking it in bare feet to emulate the way Jesus had to. There are invariably different groups of different nationalities singing hymns between the stations and this adds to the feeling and atmosphere.
For anyone using a wheelchair or anyone with walking difficulty, the High Stations are not advisable. The Low Stations are much gentler to make and are situated across the River Gave between the meadow and the river. This Way is on level ground.
The third Way of the Cross is situated inside the underground basilica (Basilica of St Pius X). This Way is also suitable for wheelchairs although I think it is on a slight slope. The stations start near the organ and proceed along the Eastern ramp. The stations are wall mounted images made of a type of stained glass unique to Lourdes.
This church was opened in 1871. The Sanctuary is directly over the place of the apparitions. The Basilica is built on the rock of Massabielle and access is via a ramp on the Ave. Mgr. Theas, across the road from the entrance to the High Stations of the Cross. The tower is 70 metres high and the bells ring out every 15 minutes. On the hour the bells ring out the Ave Maria. The walls of the church are hung with banners from pilgrims from all over the world. In the side chapels, the story of Our Lady of Lourdes is retold in the stained glass windows. Above the entrance is a medallion of Pius IX who was the Pope at the time of Bernadette and who proclaimed in 1854 that Our Lady was 'conceived without original sin' in other words immaculate.
The Crypt is under the Upper Basilica. It was blessed in 1866 on the day of Pentecost and the pilgrimage was started from that day. Bernadette had completed her tasks of having a church built and for the people to come in procession. Soon after she went to Nevers to become a nun.
The lower of the three churches, the Rosary Basilica was built at the beginning of this century. Inside there are 15 small chapels decorated with mosaics which depict the story and journey of the Rosary. In one chapel are mosaics representing the more important people who took part in the history of the apparitions.
A prison cell until 1824, this room which is the most squalid of the whole house was given free of charge to the Soubirous family. They stayed there from winter 1857 to the autumn of 1858. It was from there that Bernadette went to the Grotto to meet the Virgin Mary on eighteen occasions.
On the first floor is the room where Bernadette was born.
On the ground flood is the old mill as Bernadette would have known it with the two mill stones which were turned by the Lapacca stream and the kitchen which served also as a living room where the family lived and welcomed people.
The mill has been recently refurbished and refurnished according to the style of the time.
Bartres is situated 4km from Lourdes. it is a small village with an interesting parish church dedicated to St John the Baptist. Bernadette enjoyed coming to this church to pray. Twice in her life, Bernadette went to live with her foster mother Marie Lague at Bartres. The first time she was still a very young baby. The second time she was thirteen years old. On her second stay, she was a worker on the farm and a shepherdess for the sheep.
Today in the picturesque village the places to see are the church, a sheepfold on the hillside where Bernadette tended to the sheep and a farmhouse, although not the original farm where she stayed, it has been furnished with artifacts from the period and with some of the original furniture.
The Blessed Sacrament Procession which passes along the Gave going from the Tent of Adoration to the Underground Basilica of St. Pius X for the Blessing of the Sick begins in April at 5.00pm each day..
Since the middle ages, Processions and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament have been forms of veneration of the Body of Christ. It is also one of the oldest traditions of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes to which has been added the Blessing of the Sick. The participation of the sick shows their priority on the Sanctuary.
Pilgims gather at the Grotto and walk towards the Rosary Square. Everyone carries a lighted candle as a sign of their baptism. From April to October the Torchlight Marian Procession takes place each evening at 9.00pm as it has done since 1872.
“Have people come here in procession”
The welcoming of pilgrims and announcements begin at 8.45pm. so that the procession can begin at 9.00pm. sharp. The Procession begins from the Grotto and ends in the square in front of the Rosary Basilica.
Between torches, pilgrims carry a statue of Our Lady (a copy of the Cabuchet statue of the Blessed Virgin). It is Mary, Mother of the Church whom pilgrims come to venerate.
During the Procession, the pilgrims walk in groups behind their pilgrimage banner.
At the end of the Procession, the Priests and Bishops present give the Blessing.
On ordinary evenings, the Salve Regina concludes the procession at 10.00pm.
This excursion covers 4,6 miles (7,5 Km), and lasts about
45 minutes. It offers you the chance to see the Cité Mariale, the old quaters, the upper town and its historic buildings.
All clients have the opportunity to leave the train and visit the most beautiful tourist sites in Lourdes.
Runs from 01/04 to 01/11. From 8.55 to 11.35am and from 1.30 to 6.00pm every 20 minutes.
Length of visit: 45 min.
Easy access for the handicapped.
Go to the village of Gavarnie. Leave the coach in the car park. The path leading to the cirque starts from the village and arrives at the hôtel du Cirque (45min walk). It is possible to approach the Cirque’s wall and the Grande Cascade, however take care of the névé. From the hôtel du Cirque it is possible to return the way you came, along the Pailha path which is very rich in Pyrenean flora (ramonda, short grasses) and offers some beautiful views over the Gavarnie valley and surrounding peaks.
At the entrance of the Pyrenees National Park, the Pont d’Espagne (1,496m) is a protected natural area where you can discover the most beautiful waterfalls you can come across in the Hautes-Pyrénées. It opens out onto two important valleys which deserve to be explored by foot: the Marcadau Valley where the upper prairies consist of a delightful countryside of lakes and inviting summits, and the Gaube Valley with its lake also accessible by chair-lift. The upper part of the valley leading to the lake is closed off by the north face of the Vignemale, the highest point in the Spanish border range.
