Pilgrimage to Lourdes: the practical guide to prepare your trip

A little preparation is needed before you leave. Individual or group pilgrimage? Both are possible in Lourdes. In a group (parish, diocese, religious movement): your parish or diocese probably organises an annual pilgrimage (usually 4 to 5 days, generally between May and October). Real 2026 examples, in a double room: €255 to €350 per person for 3 nights (diocese of Perpignan, coach and full board included) and €320 to €450 for 4 nights (diocese of Montpellier, depending on the hotel and whether the coach is included). On your own: free to choose your dates, accommodation and length of stay, with no group constraints — recommended for personal pilgrimages and families. At À l'Ombre de la Tour, the average nightly rate over the last 12 months (October 2025 – September 2026) was €46 for the studio (2 people), €72 for the one-bedroom flat (4 people), €102 for the duplex (6 people) and €266 for the whole house (12 people), i.e. around €17 to €23 per person per night for an entire apartment with a kitchen.

When to come? April to October: the main pilgrimage season, with the full programme of processions, international Masses and spiritual activities. May: the month of Mary, a very intense spiritual time. 15 August (Assumption): the busiest day of the year (50,000+ pilgrims in a single day). 8 December (Immaculate Conception): another highlight, with 100,000 candles during the night. November to March: a quieter season with a more intimate atmosphere, ideal for personal reflection.

Ideal length of a pilgrimage: at least 3 nights / 4 days to experience the essentials. Ideally one week. A flying visit of 1 or 2 days is possible but frustrating — there is so much to experience that you will be left wanting more.

Documents: a valid ID (identity card, or passport for pilgrims from outside the EU). European Health Insurance Card for Europeans. If you are travelling with someone who is ill, bring their full medical file. The pilgrim's booklet can be obtained on site or in advance from the Sanctuary.

Budget: on an organised trip, €255 to €450 per person for 3 to 4 nights (2026 diocesan prices). On your own, add up transport, accommodation (around €17 to €23 per person per night with us, on average over 12 months) and meals. The Sanctuary is 100% free. Donations, candles and offerings are up to you.

Clothing: Lourdes is a place of worship and appropriate dress is expected. No very short shorts, thin vests or beachwear. Shoulders covered for women in the basilicas. Choose comfort: walking shoes (you will walk a lot), layers (mountain temperatures vary), a waterproof jacket (frequent rain in summer), a hat for the sun (the Pyrenean sun is strong).

For the celebrations: smarter clothes for the international Masses (shirt or blouse, trousers or skirt). A light scarf or shawl for women (useful in the basilicas). A rosary (sold on site for €2-15, or bring your own). A candle for the torchlight procession (sold at the entrance to the Sanctuary for €2-5).

Useful equipment: a reusable water bottle (water fountains everywhere in the Sanctuary). A small day backpack. A light toiletry bag. Personal medication. Sunglasses. Sun cream (high altitude). A small towel if you plan to go to the Baths (currently reopening).

For the sick: wheelchairs available on loan at the Sanctuary (free, deposit required). Volunteers (hospitallers, stretcher-bearers) available to assist. Notre-Dame des Douleurs hospital on site.

Phone: useful for timetables (lourdes-france.org) and a few photos (not allowed during celebrations). Free Wi-Fi in some basilicas.

The Sanctuary's spiritual programme is rich and open to everyone, believers or not.

Processions not to be missed: the Eucharistic procession every day at 5 p.m. from April to October. The Blessed Sacrament is carried from the Grotto to the esplanade, with the blessing of the sick. Follow it from the esplanade, ideally from a central position. Duration 1h-1h30. The Marian torchlight procession every day at 9 p.m. from April to October — the most moving moment of your pilgrimage. Candle in hand, the Ave Maria is sung in several languages. It can be followed from the Grotto (start) or the esplanade (finish). Duration 1h30.

Masses: opening Mass at 6.30 a.m. in the Rosary Basilica — an intimate moment, with few people. International Mass on Wednesdays and Sundays at 9.30 a.m. in the underground Saint Pius X Basilica — simultaneous translation in 6+ languages, 10,000-20,000 pilgrims. Daily Masses at the Grotto at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. (in a basilica in bad weather).

The water gesture: fill a bottle at one of the 27 fountains (free). The water can be drunk, used for the sign of the cross or taken home to loved ones. At the Baths (currently reopening): ablutions with water from the Grotto, a gesture of spiritual purification.

The sacrament of reconciliation (confession): available in the reconciliation chapels from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Several languages. No appointment needed, reasonable waiting times.

The Way of the Cross: on the hillside above the Sanctuary (1 km, 14 stations, 90 bronze statues). Allow 1h-1h30 to complete it. Best in the morning before the crowds.

Guided tours: free, in several languages, organised by the Sanctuary. Ask at the reception. Very rewarding for a better understanding of the site and the history of the apparitions.

How to get there? Direct TGV train Paris-Lourdes in 5h30 (station 1.5 km from the Sanctuary). Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées airport (TLP) 15 minutes away (direct flights from Paris, London, Dublin, Rome, Milan, Lisbon). By car: A65 then A64 motorways, free car parks at the Sanctuary. Long-distance Flixbus coaches from major European cities.

On foot in Lourdes: everything is within easy reach. Sanctuary to the station: 15 minutes. Sanctuary to the castle: 10 minutes. Sanctuary to the town centre: 5-10 minutes.

Food: many restaurants in Lourdes (200+), from simple brasseries to fine dining. Typical South-West cuisine (garbure soup, foie gras, duck breast, spit cake). For group pilgrimages: group catering available from several providers.

FAQ. Do you have to be Catholic to come to Lourdes? No, the Sanctuary is open to everyone, believers or not. Many visitors come for the beauty of the place, its history or personal spirituality. Can I bring my children? Yes, children are welcome. There is a programme adapted for them (fun visit). How much does a group pilgrimage cost? In 2026, diocesan pilgrimages cost €255 to €450 per person for 3 to 4 nights in a double room, coach and full board included depending on the package (examples from Perpignan and Montpellier). For a rental, our whole house costs on average around €22 per person per night for 12 people (average nightly rate of €266 over the last 12 months). How do I find an organised pilgrimage? Ask your parish, or contact the dioceses that organise annual pilgrimages. What is the minimum length to make the most of it? At least 3 days / 2 nights, 5-7 days is ideal.

Where to stay for your pilgrimage: our apartment hotel À l'Ombre de la Tour offers 4 apartments an 8-minute walk from the Sanctuary, at 31 rue de la Grotte. Studio (2 people), one-bedroom flat with terrace (4 people), duplex (6 people), house for 12 for group or family pilgrimages. Fully equipped kitchen, private garden, free parking 50 m away. Ideal for independent pilgrims who value flexibility. Book direct with no OTA commission = save up to 18%. Message us on WhatsApp before you arrive for personalised advice on procession and Mass times for your dates.