Lourdes overview

Located in the deep south of France, close to the Spanish border, lies the small, former market town of Lourdes. Most travellers who visit Lourdes are usually embarked on a long the long journey from Toulouse or Paris to the Pyrenees spas, and opt to break up their journey by stopping off. Lourdes is also visited by many thousands of pilgrims each year, who believe that the Mother of God, Mary, appeared 18 times to a young girl at the grotto. The religious significance of the town has also led to a large number of sellers flogging tacky religious items such as statuettes, mugs, and containers for storing water obtained from the Grotto. Lourdes is a great place for dining, with a variety of restaurants and cafes serving delicious French cuisine.