Lourdes (Nov. 5, 2024):
Andorra
Mirepoix
Carcassonne
Lagrasse
Fontfroide Abbey
Narbonne
Gruissan
Pezenas
Seté
Montpellier
Aigues-Mortes
Nîmes
Arles
Avignon
Marseilles
Ouch
Lourdes
Panticosa (Huesca, Spain)
The story of Lourdes in a few lines:
Origins:
Lourdes began as a small medieval settlement around an 11th-century fortified castle, which commanded the strategic pass of the Gave Valley. Its importance was primarily military and local.
Middle Ages:
During the Middle Ages, Lourdes Castle was an important stronghold in the Bigorre region. It passed through French and English hands during the Hundred Years' War and maintained a defensive role until the Modern Age.
19th Century:
In 1858, Lourdes was completely transformed after the 18 Marian apparitions to the young Bernadette Soubirous in the grotto of Massabielle. This event turned the town into a major international pilgrimage center and one of the most visited religious sites in the world.
Present:
Today, Lourdes is one of Catholicism's major pilgrimage destinations, receiving millions of visitors each year. Its sanctuary, the underground basilica, and the grotto are the spiritual heart of the city, which combines religious tradition and hospitality.
If you're religious, I suppose it's absolutely worth it. If you're not, it's still worth visiting because, besides seeing some very "curious" people, the place is beautiful, clean, well-maintained, and incredibly huge. For non-believers, there's not much more to it than taking a photo, visiting the churches on your way to the cave, and observing the surroundings a bit—about half an hour at most. The real nightmare is finding a parking spot if you're a bit of a cheapskate like us 😅.
Free restrooms at the main entrance.
The cave where the Virgin appeared is not a cave; it has been made into a small altar so that people can kiss the wall and pray.
Lourdes combines very well with a visit to Carcassonne, especially if you're looking for a route that combines history, culture, and iconic locations in the south of France.
We didn't stay overnight; it was just a place we passed through.
Information obtained from the web https://www.exteriores.gob.es
Passport/ID: Both are valid.
European Health Insurance Card: It's necessary, it's very easy to order online and they send it to your home. Request.
Vaccines: There are no mandatory vaccinations for entry.
International driving permit: There's no need. DGT.
Payment card/currency exchange: we always go with Revolut definitely.
Roaming: NO There is, so if you have data enabled you can take a nice little gift back.
GPS: Maps.me Download the maps for Spain and they work great offline, whether you're on foot, by car, or on public transport.
Where to eat: If you want to eat at a restaurant, there's also the app. TheFork which has many discounts. If you book with the code 7C1B79A3 When you are finishing the booking, you will get 1000 Yums = €10 discount at your next meal. In addition to other special offers they often have, or simply to accumulate points and use them for discounts on your next payments.
It operates in several countries, including Spain, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, and Australia.
Other destinations in France: 
