This trip was a special gift for my grandma, Lourdes Richardson, whose name reflects the town’s deep religious significance. Booked around her birthday in mid-May, it was a meaningful journey for our family, revisiting the place that has touched her heart for decades.
Whether you’re planning a pilgrimage or a cultural visit, this Lourdes travel guide shares practical tips on flights, accessibility, top things to see and do, and where to eat during your stay.
If you or someone you're travelling with has accessibility needs, you can add special assistance when booking your flight with Ryanair. One travel companion can be registered as a carer, and the disabled passenger will automatically be assigned a window seat. When booking assistance, you don’t need to pay for seat selection for either passenger.
At London Stansted Airport, look out for the purple Assistance/Accessibility Area once you arrive. Head over with your booking details and let the staff know what you need. If you’ve requested a wheelchair, your carer or an airport staff member will help get you set up.
From there, you’ll go through the Assistance Security Lane, which is a dedicated fast-track option designed to accommodate mobility aids and provide a smoother experience
Top Things to Do in Lourdes
Explore the town
Lourdes is a charming town known for its quaint streets, scenic views, and welcoming atmosphere. It’s particularly famous for its abundance of religious gift shops, where you’ll find rosary beads, candles, statues, medals, holy water bottles, and items blessed at the sanctuary.
You’ll also find boutique stores selling jewellery, local crafts, and clothing, alongside casual cafés and bakeries for a light stop between sightseeing.
Tip: Many shops close during lunch (typically from 12–2pm), so plan your browsing accordingly.
Attend a candelight procession
Whether you're religious or not, attending a candlelight procession in Lourdes is a truly unforgettable experience. There's something incredibly moving about watching thousands of pilgrims and visitors gather in peaceful silence, holding candles and singing together as they walk in harmony through the Sanctuary grounds.
The Lourdes candlelight procession takes place every evening at 9pm, beginning at the Rosary Basilica.
For me, as someone who isn't religious, this was one of the most powerful and emotive moments of our Lourdes pilgrimage weekend. Seeing people from all over the world, of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs, coming together in such a harmonious and respectful way is something I’ll always remember. Out of all the ceremonies and events we attended over the three days, this one stood out the most.
I'd recommend arriving 15 minutes early, so you can get a good spot and purchase a candle (they're available for a few euros at shops nearby or in the grounds of Lourdes).
Ride the Petit Train de Lourdes
Ride the Pic du Jer Funicular
I highly recommend taking the Pic du Jer funicular for stunning panoramic views of the Pyrenees mountains and Lourdes below. A return ticket costs €13.50 per person. At the top, you’ll find peaceful walking trails and a couple of restaurants where you can relax and soak in the scenery.
We didn’t spend long there as we needed to catch our flight, but you can easily spend as much time as you like exploring the area.
To get to the funicular, we took the L4 bus from the center of Lourdes, which took about 10–15 minutes. The bus fare was just €1 per person each way.
No visit to Lourdes is complete without spending time at the Grotto of Massabielle, the sacred site where Saint Bernadette Soubirous witnessed apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1858. Pilgrims from around the world come here to pray, reflect, or simply sit in the peaceful presence of this iconic site. You can light a candle, collect holy water, or walk through the grotto quietly, it’s a powerful and moving experience whether you're religious or not.
After the initial queue, she waited another 90 minutes inside, making the whole process over 3.5 hours long. While it took a large chunk out of the day, it was the one thing she truly wanted to do. She had visited Lourdes decades ago and done the baths then, but she said the experience was very different this time—more reflective, peaceful, and significant.
It was a special and emotional moment for her, and I was so glad we made it happen on this trip.
Where to Eat in Lourdes: Dining Tips and Restaurant Recommendations
Lourdes has plenty of cafés, bistros, and restaurants serving classic French dishes like steak-frites, croque monsieur, omelettes, and salads. Most meals were quite simple and average, so this is something to keep in mind if you're a foodie! It's a good idea to check Google or TripAdvisor reviews before choosing where to eat.
When we visited in mid-May, it coincided with the International Military Pilgrimage, which brought thousands of visitors from around the world. This made the town feel particularly crowded, and restaurants were often full, especially in the evenings, with long waits or no availability at all. If you prefer a quieter, more reflective experience, you might want to check the pilgrimage calendar and plan your visit outside of this weekend.
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