Embark on a private tour to one of the most significant centers of devotion in the world – the Sanctuary of Lourdes in France. This extraordinary pilgrimage site invokes a plethora of emotions – a sanctuary of faith, hope, and love. We will explore every corner of this special place, attend a mass, and be filled with wonder.
As we depart from San Sebastian at 8:00 am, our excitement grows for what awaits us – the Sanctuary located in the French Pyrenees, a two-hour journey that feels like a lifetime of anticipation. Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879) claimed to have witnessed 18 apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, igniting the flames of devotion and leading to the construction of a chapel, now the awe-inspiring sanctuary.
Prepare to be moved, to feel the weight of history and spirituality, and to be filled with a sense of gratitude. This experience will leave you breathless, forever etched in your memory as a moment of pure transcendence.
Monumental pilgrimage site
We will visit the Grotto of Massabielle, where the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette in 1858. The image of the Virgin Mary is located in the upper right corner of the chamber, and a spring that she discovered near the altar can be found at the back of the grotto. It’s customary for pilgrims to touch the rock and make the sign of the cross as they exit the grotto.
After that, we will visit the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the oldest basilica of great architectural beauty, located atop the rock of the grotto. Its stained glass windows depict the story of the apparitions. We will also visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, which is shaped like a large Greek cross and has 2,000 square meters of chapels covered in beautiful mosaics. Finally, we will visit the Moulin de Boly, the family home where Bernadette was born, and see the room where she was born and some other rooms.
To conclude this special tour, we will enjoy local gastronomy at a restaurant before heading back to San Sebastian. This journey will take you on a spiritual and cultural adventure, leaving you filled with wonder and gratitude for the experience.
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