Are you Catholic? Have you ever visited a church that left you completely speechless?
In the Philippines, we have many Catholic churches—in fact, around three-fourths of the population is Catholic. That is one of the reasons why visiting Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes was part of our journey while we were in France.
This sacred place is not only known for holding Masses, but also as one of the world’s most famous pilgrimage sites. It is a place where pilgrims from different countries gather in prayer, hope, and faith. Many elderly and sick people also come here seeking peace, healing, and comfort.
As soon as we entered the gates, we immediately saw groups of pilgrims gathered around, especially near the front of the church. We arrived quite early, so the main doors still seemed closed. While waiting, we walked around the area first—and honestly, it felt less like a church and more like a grand castle.
The entire sanctuary is massive, with breathtaking architecture and intricate details everywhere. Even the bridge leading up to the entrance felt magical, like walking toward a royal castle from a fairytale.
Once inside, we saw statues and images of famous saints from around the world, although photography was no longer allowed inside the basilicas. Most of my photos were therefore taken outside. But inside—it was truly beyond words. The beauty, history, and atmosphere were simply incredible.
Within the sanctuary, you can find the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, and the underground Basilica of Saint Pius X.
The entire place is unbelievably vast. What amazed me the most was the underground basilica—you simply cannot imagine how such a huge underground structure could have been built. Standing there made me feel both small and deeply amazed at the same time.
As we walked toward the left side of the sanctuary, we saw a fast-flowing river running between the church grounds and another building, which I believe was a place where sick pilgrims and elderly visitors could stay during their pilgrimage and healing journey. A bridge connected the sanctuary to the building, adding even more charm to the peaceful surroundings.
The river flowed all the way from the entrance area of Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, where we also caught sight of the magnificent Château Fort de Lourdes.
Here, I took some photos of the souvenir shops just outside the sanctuary. There were also many restaurants and hotels nearby, making the area feel lively and welcoming for pilgrims and visitors.
As for souvenirs, we bought a few magnets from Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes to display on our fridge, along with a cross for our wall and a few other keepsakes.
One thing that really caught my attention was how almost every shop sold large bottles, gallons, and different kinds of containers for carrying holy water home. Many pilgrims bring holy water back with them as a symbol of faith, hope, and healing.
Thankfully, we already had a large empty bottle with us, so we didn’t need to buy one. To be honest, the containers sold there were quite expensive.
Keep in mind that the water flowing throughout the basilica grounds is considered holy water. Around the sanctuary, there are fountains, faucets, and small flowing canals where pilgrims can wash their faces, drink the water, or collect it to bring home. Of course, I did the same—I refilled our empty bottle so I could take some holy water back home to Germany. ✨🙏🏻
This sacred place is known as the site of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous, where a “miraculous” spring is said to have emerged. “Massabielle” means “old rock” in the Gascon language. Every day, thousands of pilgrims pass through the grotto to touch the damp stone walls beneath the statue of the Virgin Mary, which was installed in 1864. Over time, the rock walls have become smooth from the countless hands of pilgrims, showing the deep faith and devotion connected to Lourdes.
It was the Virgin herself, according to tradition, who told Bernadette about the healing and spiritual benefits of the clear and pure spring water. Today, visitors can collect the water from taps installed near the grotto.
Processions are also regularly held within the sanctuary, allowing pilgrims to offer prayers and wishes. Carrying blessed candles, they walk together in remembrance of Bernadette Soubirous and her extraordinary story.
We felt truly fortunate to attend the Mass at the grotto before the procession began. After the Mass, people gathered and formed a long line leading toward the grotto, where pilgrims gently touched the rocks believed to bring healing, protection, and blessings for their families.
Of course, we also joined the line and took part in this meaningful experience.
The river flowed all the way from the entrance area of Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, where we also caught sight of the magnificent Château Fort de Lourdes.
Even from a distance, the castle looked absolutely incredible. It amazed me how these two historic and breathtaking landmarks stood so close to each other.
Perched high on a rocky hill, the castle almost felt as if it was watching over the entire town. Sadly, we didn’t have enough time to visit it during this trip, but perhaps we can add it to our list for the next visit to Lourdes.
After the Mass at the grotto, we walked around a little more to explore what lay behind the basilica. We crossed the bridge and continued sightseeing, but just then, the rain suddenly started pouring. Since it kept getting heavier, we decided to call it a day, as it became difficult to continue walking and enjoying the surroundings.
Before leaving, we quietly said goodbye to the saints and the beautiful sanctuary of Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.
We then walked back along the same road we had passed earlier and stopped at one of the coffee stands for a warm drink, while my daughter happily enjoyed an ice cream. Earlier that day, we had lunch at an Indian restaurant, though there were also many other restaurants nearby offering different kinds of meals to choose from.
And that concludes our journey to Lourdes—a peaceful and unforgettable experience filled with faith, history, and beautiful memories.