Our Lady of Lourdes - Reviews
Here you can read about many of those who have visited Lourdes and their experiences. This could help you in-case you would like a different perspective from those who have visited Lourdes.
I will start off by saying that I'm Catholic and always wanted to visit Lourdes with my mom. Now that she is older and her health isn't good, I went to Lourdes without her - but she was in my heart during my visit. The sanctuary itself is beautiful and the grotto is very moving - especially when you know the history of what happened there in 1858. What is even more moving, though, are the people who make the pilgrimage to Lourdes. Prior to leaving for my trip, I had read reviews in tour books about Lourdes where the writer really disparaged the story of the grotto and the pilgrims and how commercialized Lourdes is. But the people who make the trip to Lourdes are who make the town so special. This was what the Blessed Mother wanted, after all, was to build a place so that people should come in processions! It truly was very touching to know that there are so many people who still revere the story of Bernadette and The Lady. My only complaint is that I wish there had been guided tours of the sanctuary to talk about the significance of each area, who the artists were, when each area was built, etc. Overall, though, I loved visting Lourdes and if you are even slightly inclined to go, you should follow your heart. I did and it was well worth the trip.
Lisa |
My wife and I had our first visit in early March to take my late mother in laws ashes my late father in law was also with us. The weather on arrival was terrible rain,hail and snow. But by evening this had cleared away and the frost had come down. To see the candles flickering in the grotto for the first time was a truly beautiful site there was no wind just cold frosty air and silence except for the sound of the flowing River Garve. I would recommend to any one to go just because it's winter don't stay away.
Brian Cowdall Lourdes is a great weekend away, especially in the winter as their is a ski resort 15 kms away,the grotto of our lady is beautifullas is the complete town which is dedicated to the catholic religion for pilgrimage you can get very reasonable flights from London to Pau then drive to Lourdes its about 30 kms ,once there you can get a nice little hotel in the middle of town,and walk everywhere which is lovely in the mountain air.i totally recommend Lourdes to anybody of any religion as it is such a beautiful place. Danielle |
I travelled to Lourdes from London on a charter flight.We went from Stansted,very good flight,nice meal.Met at the airport and taken to the Hotel Beau Site. 1 hr later our guide Ray took us to the Grotto. what a powerful experience.
The next day we had Mass at The Grotto, Blessed Sacrament Procession, Torchlight Procession, all the time with the kind attentive Ray in the backgroud. 4 days and it was time to go home. being a charter, we could take as much Lourdes water as we wanted,unbeleivably,there was no baggage restriction. If you are going to Lourdes this is the way to go Sam Lourdes was wonderful. Gloria Hotel located overlooking River Gave and short walk to Domaine. Lovely European type village with narrow streets and hills like San Francisco. Rainy and cold. Bring jackets for May visit. A must revisit for us. Paul |