🇫🇷 Lourdes

Lourdes is one of the places we want to visit and is about 2 hours away from Biarritz. The town is located on the border with Spain, on the edge of the Pyrenees, and is one of the most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world.

In 1858, a fourteen-year-old girl is said to have had a vision of the Virgin Mary, and soon after, the first pilgrims traveled to Lourdes. A basilica was then built above the rock grotto where the girl had the vision.

The small town has a population of 14,000 and counts about 5 million overnight stays per year.

We visit the holy district and explore the grotto and the basilica. Everything is focused on the worship of Mary, the mother of Jesus. We can almost feel the aura of the people who sought comfort here, who directed their hopes and wishes to Mary.

In the early days, believers were able to write their wishes and thanksgiving on stone tablets, which were then walled inside the basilica. We translated some of these tablets and were touched by the fervor with which these people believed in the miracle of Lourdes.

At the designated taps, we fetch the spring water from the grotto, which is believed to have healing powers. It definitely can't hurt - it's potable water. 😉

We were also impressed by the large number of sick people who were transported to the holy district by volunteers in wheelchairs.

In the numerous souvenir shops, we bought the usual mementos - we managed to resist buying a giant candle. 😅

After eating a few snacks in a restaurant (no oysters 😊), we drive back to Biarritz feeling full and thoughtful.

We agree that there is something there that cannot be explained, but is perceived as true.