How to do a day trip to Lourdes, France?

11 minutes ago

3 min read

Many of my guests ask me the same thing: "Can we visit Lourdes while we are in Paris?" The short answer is yes. The honest answer is that it is a very long day, so it helps to plan it well.

Is a Lourdes day trip from Paris realistic?

It is possible, and many pilgrims do it. Lourdes is in the Pyrenees, in the south-west of France, so you spend a big part of the day on the train. Plan for around 12 hours from start to finish. If you want a slower, more prayerful visit, think about staying a night. If you only have one day in your trip for it, the plan below works.

Option 1: the direct TGV from Paris Montparnasse

This is the option in my guide. A direct TGV runs from Gare Montparnasse to Lourdes, so there are no changes. The journey takes a little under 5 hours each way.

Outbound in the guide: leave Paris Montparnasse at 6:32 am and arrive in Lourdes at 11:26 am.
Return in the guide: leave Lourdes at 4:56 pm and arrive in Paris at 9:56 pm.
Fare in the guide: about 60 to 80 euros one way. Fares change by date, so check the price for your day.
Book on SNCF Connect (sncfconnect.com).

Please check the times again on SNCF Connect when you book. Timetables change with the season, and the return train is the one you cannot miss.

Option 2: fly to Tarbes-Lourdes airport

There is also an airport near Lourdes, Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées (LDE). Listings show flights from Paris Orly of about 1 hour 20 minutes. The flight is shorter than the train, but you still need to get from the airport to Lourdes by road, and flights do not run every day or all year. Check the airline schedule before you plan around it. For a same-day return, make sure the last flight back lines up with your visit, because a missed flight is harder to fix than a missed train.

What a day in Lourdes looks like

The train station is about a 15 minute walk from the Sanctuary and the basilica. With the guide's train times, you have around 4 hours inside the Sanctuary before you need to head back for the 4:56 pm train. The Sanctuary is big, so choose what matters most to you:

Visit and pray at the Massabielle Grotto, where the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.
Collect water from the fountains near the grotto.
Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. Masses are usually early in the morning and late in the afternoon.
Light a candle in the candle area for your prayers and intentions.

Tips for pilgrims and families

Bring your own bottle or container for the water. Shops before the Sanctuary entrance also sell containers and mini bottles.
Pack sandwiches if you want to save time. If you prefer to sit down, the guide suggests Asian Delices Food, a Filipino restaurant at 15 Rue Sainte-Marie, 65100 Lourdes.
Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk a lot, and the Sanctuary grounds are large.
With children or older parents, keep the plan light. Pick the grotto and one basilica rather than trying to see everything.
Book your train tickets ahead, especially around holidays and pilgrimage seasons when Lourdes gets very busy.
Evening processions and other special services depend on the season. Check the Sanctuary's official schedule for your date before you go.

When to go

Lourdes is busiest in the warmer months and around major religious feasts. In winter, it is quieter and cooler, and some services run on reduced schedules. Check the dates you have in mind before you book.

Need help planning your trip?

If you are coming to Paris and want help with day trips like this one, Paris Tayo can help you plan. I am a Pinay guide in Paris and I work with Filipino families and travelers. Have a look at paristayo.com and send me a message with your dates.