Pilgrimage to Lourdes, France with Kids: What to See & Do

Are you thinking about going on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France with kids and need some help with planning, accommodation, and itinerary?

If yes, I’ve got you covered because as a Catholic family who loves to visit Catholic pilgrimage destinations, we recently made a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France (we try to go every year) with our kids aged 5 and 3.

Short  History of Lourdes

Lourdes is a small town located in southwestern France that has gained fame as an important pilgrimage destination for its world-famous Marian shrine – The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.

The reason for its popularity is the apparitions of the Virgin Mary that reportedly appeared to a girl named  Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. 

Saint Bernadette Soubirous

Bernadette was born on January 7, 1844, in Lourdes, France, into a family of six siblings. Her parents, Francois and Louise Soubirous, were poor millers who struggled to make ends meet. Bernadette’s family lived in a small cramped room, which also served as their kitchen and bedroom.

Despite their poverty, Bernadette’s family was deeply religious. Her parents had a strong devotion to the Catholic Church, and they instilled their faith in their children. Bernadette was known to be a devout and pious child who loved to pray and attend Mass.

In 1866, Bernadette joined the Sisters of Charity in their convent at Nevers. Her incorrupt body lies beneath a glass cover at her convent in Nevers, France. Saint Bernadette was eventually canonized by the Catholic Church in 1933 and has become a revered figure among Catholics. 

Her visions eventually led to the establishment of The Sanctuary of Our Lady Lourdes as a sacred pilgrimage site, which draws millions of pilgrims from all over the world to visit Lourdes each year. Her visions of the Virgin Mary and her steadfast dedication to her faith continue to inspire millions of people around the world today. 

The Marian Apparitions At The Grotto of Massabielle

In February 1858, when Bernadette was just 14 years old, she had a vision of the Virgin Mary while collecting firewood near a cave (grotto in French). Over the next several weeks, she claimed to have several more encounters with the Virgin Mary, who asked her to pray and do penance for the conversion of sinners.

Bernadette’s visions attracted quite a bit of attention, and many people began to follow her to the grotto. Some people believed that she was merely a delusional child, while others saw her visions as evidence of divine intervention.

The apparitions continued 18 times between February 11 and July 16, 1858, and Bernadette was instructed by the holy figure to tell others to build a chapel where the apparitions occurred. The chapel is now known as the Grotto of Massabielle, a significant holy site for Catholics worldwide.

Saint Bernadette was also instructed to drink from a spring that materialized at the site. The water from the spring was reported to have healing properties, and many people began visiting the site to pray and drink from the spring in the grotto.

Saint Bernadette is considered a central figure in the story of Lourdes. Although she was initially met with skepticism by the local authorities, her visions and the miracles associated with the Lourdes Spring have since gained widespread recognition.

↪️ Book a Lourdes: Spiritual and Historical Guided Tour

Hotel Check-in at Hotel Eliseo

We are blessed to live in Spain and only a 5-hour drive to Lourdes, France. But because we are traveling with kids, we make several stops, so it’s about a 7-8-hour drive for us. We arrive around 6:30 pm.

We stayed at Hotel Eliseo and our check-in was so smooth! I highly recommend this hotel because it’s only a 1-3 minute walk to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes depending on your pace.

We loved our room because it has a second floor with 2 single beds and a bathroom. It’s the first time we have a hotel room with 2 levels!

↪️ Check rates and availability at Hotel Eliseo

Snacks/Early Dinner

After we settled in and checked our hotel room, we rested a bit and I arranged our luggage.

Then after about an hour or so, we decided to have some snacks, which was also considered an early dinner since it was around 7-7:30 pm in one of the many bars/restaurants close to the entrance of the sanctuary.

You can also pack some food for dinner, so, you can eat in the comfort of your hotel room. But if you decide to have dinner outside, make sure to go to the bars/restaurants before 8 pm because they usually close at 8 pm. The receptionist informed us this and it was strange for us since we are used to late dinners in Spain.

Visit To The Massabielle Grotto

Right after our snacks/early dinner, we decided to have a quick visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.

We stopped at the Grotto of Massabielle for a short prayer, then my husband also explained to the kids about the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Bernadette Soubirous and told her that She is the Immaculate Conception.

Lighting Candles at the Chapels of Light

Then we proceeded to the Chapels of Lights located opposite the grotto (you have to cross a bridge) to light some candles for our intentions.

↪️ Book a Private Guided Tours of Lourdes

Going to Confession

One of the things that we love doing when we visit Catholic sites is to go to confession. We try to avail the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least 3-4 times a year, but the more the better. And the 2 times that we make sure to go are before/during Holy Week and Christmas.

And because we went during the Holy Week, confession was really on top of our “to-do” list.

The confession building is on the right side of the Sanctuary and is impossible to miss because there are English, Italian, and French words written for the word confession. There’s a confession everyday from 9.30 am – 11.00 am & 3.30 pm – 6.00 pm.

Volunteers will greet you at the door and will ask you which language you prefer for confession, and they’ll point you to the right area. We were directed to the “Spanish” waiting area.

My husband went in first and I was in the waiting area with the kids practicing what to say (I am not a native Spanish speaker and confession makes me nervous everytime, yet it makes me soo relieved afterward). A man approached me to ask if I was in a hurry because if not, he would like to go next since he had limited time in Lourdes, I said he could definitely go first and it gave me more time to practice.

Attending Holy Mass

We always try our best to attend Holy Mass every Sunday and on holy days of obligation, no matter where we are.

Right after the confession, we headed to the Basilica of the Immaculate Concepcion for the 11 am Spanish Mass. And we were delighted because we met Fr. Nico and Daru in the circle in front of the Basilica.

Fr. Nico and Daru are Indonesians we met in the lobby of Hotel Eliseo during check-in. We arrived at the same time as their group and after check-in, we were talking a bit in the lobby, Fr. Nico asked our names and when it was our time to ask him, he said he is a priest.

I was surprised because usually, I can identify priests by the clothes they wear (the white color on the neck part), but he was wearing civilian clothes.

Anyways, we had a short, yet meaningful conversation. They are very friendly and said that if we ever come to Indonesia, we are very welcome to contact them. and we said the same if they ever come to Barcelona for a visit.

I ask them to write their numbers and e-mails on a piece of paper. And as promised, I sent them messages a few days after we came back from Lourdes. And they gladly delighted and now we are communicating.

There are several Mass schedules everyday in different locations within the Sanctuary:

1. The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (upper basilica)
2. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary
3. The Basilica of St. Pius X (underground basilica)

Make sure to ask at the information center for the schedule or visit the website: https://www.lourdes-france.org/en/

Having Lunch

Before we left for confession, my husband asked the receptionist for a restaurant serving authentic French cuisine because he wanted us to have a fancy lunch. The receptionist gave him a map explaining the location and said that we had to be there before or at 12 noon since restaurants have an early closing time after lunch.

So, after Mass, we went to the recommended restaurant, and to our surprise, it was a pizza place and it was no longer in operation! Hmmm, looks like the receptionist is not that updated on the latest happenings!

We kept on walking and found a pretty full restaurant (it’s always a good sign for us because it means the food is delicious), so, we went in, and luckily there was still an available table for us.

Visiting the Paternal House of St. Bernadette

After lunch, we decided to walk slowly back to the hotel. But on our way, we saw on the street the buried stone-like indications toward the childhood house of St. Bernadette (Maison Paternelle de Sainte-Bernadette), so, we decided to go there again (we already went on our previous visit when our firstborn was still 10 months old).

The visit was quick, like a maximum of 3 minutes or more depending on the number of tourists ahead of your group. There was only a mother-daughter tandem ahead of us, so, the tour was a quick one.

Check-out from Hotel Eliseo

Since the check-out time at Hotel Eliseo is at noon, we decided to do it first before heading once again to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes for the water bath. This way, we don’t have to hurry to go back to the hotel.

The receptionist was so nice to us and she allowed our car to stay in their private parking area even after check-out.

We put all our things in the car and headed to the Sanctuary for the water bath.

Water Bath/Water Gesture

This is our first activity since we didn’t have much time to do it the day before.

↪️ Book a Lourdes: Spiritual and Historical Guided Tour

Quick Visit to the Massabielle Grotto

Right after the water bath, we stopped in the Massabielle Grotto once again to say a short prayer, especially for our safe trip back home.

Going Home

We heeded back to Hotel Eliseo’s garage after our quick visit to the grotto and we finally drove home around 11-11:30 am.

We stopped in Vall d’Aran (already part of Spain where we went camping in 2019) for lunch before driving the final leg of our journey back home. We arrived safely around 5:30-6 pm.

Best Time to Visit Lourdes, France with Kids

Lourdes, France is an all-year-round destination since its main attraction which is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is open all year round, 24/7.

However, it is important to note that the main tourist season in Lourdes is from Easter to October, with July and August as the busiest months. This is an important fact to consider since prices for hotels, and airfares are more expensive during these times.

With the above considerations, the best time to visit Lourdes, France is during the off-season which is from November until before Easter because there are fewer crowds and cheaper travel-related expenses.

But for me personally, the best time to visit Lourdes, France with kids is during November and late March or the beginning of April, because they’re still in the off-season range and the weather during these times is supposed to be not yet very cold.

Weather is a significant factor when choosing our vacation dates to a certain place because we are not a cold-loving family. We love warm weather and much more since I am a tropical mom from the Philippines, so, cold weather is a no-no for me.

If you decide to visit Lourdes during the winter months, it is essential to note that many hotels and businesses close during these times, so, there are fewer options to choose from.

Our trip to Lourdes was originally booked for October 2022 to celebrate our firstborn’s birthday, but we got hit with COVID-19, so we had to rebook it. We contacted the hotel to rebook for December, but they were already closed for the winter season in December. So, we finally moved it to the Holy Week of 2023.

Where to Stay in Lourdes, France with Kids

There are a lot of accommodations to choose from in Lourdes, France from hotels, and apartments to camping sites.

However, for a short visit with kids, it’s better to stay in hotels for convenience. Here are my family’s top recommendations:

1. Hotel Eliseo

If you’re planning a family trip to Lourdes, France, I highly recommend staying at Hotel Eliseo, since that is where we stayed on our recent trip and my family was so happy and contented.

My husband was so impressed with this hotel. When we go on a trip, he always lets me book the accommodation and tours, etc, that’s why I try my very best to book nice, yet affordable hotels.

This hotel has everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable stay, including spacious and clean rooms, a delicious on-site restaurant, and a convenient location just a few steps away from the Sanctuary.

The hotel also offers a range of amenities for families, such as cribs and high chairs for babies, and a 24-hour reception desk to assist with any needs or questions.

Additionally, the hotel staff is friendly and accommodating, making sure that our family’s stay is as pleasant as possible. Overall, Hotel Eliseo is an excellent choice for families visiting Lourdes, combining comfort, convenience, and affordability in one package.

↪️ Check rates and availability at Hotel Eliseo

1. Hotel Paradis

Another hotel that my family highly recommends when visiting Lourdes, France with kids is Hotel Paradis.

This hotel offers a variety of amenities and services that are perfect for families, such as spacious and clean rooms (but only one floor), a delicious on-site restaurant, and hotel staff that is always ready to assist with any needs or questions that families may have.

Hotel Paradis also has a range of amenities for children, such as a play area and games room, making it an ideal choice for families traveling with kids. We love the play area and games room a lot! Our then 10-month-old son had so much fun playing!

However, this hotel is about a 10-minute walk to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes (you need to cross the bridge), but we enjoyed the walk because we got to pass by several souvenir shops and look around.

Hotel Paradis is another great option for families looking for a comfortable and convenient stay in Lourdes, France.

↪️ Check rates and availability at Hotel Paradis

Getting Around Lourdes, France with Kids

While public transportation options are available, such as buses and trains, the best way to get to Lourdes is by car.

By renting a car or driving your vehicle, you’ll have the flexibility and convenience to explore the city and surrounding areas at your own pace.

Having a car also allows you to easily visit nearby attractions, such as the Pyrenees Mountains or the city of Toulouse. Remember that parking can be limited in some areas, so planning and researching parking options before arriving is important.

Overall, traveling by car is the most efficient and convenient way to get to Lourdes, but once you arrive there, you can easily explore the place by walking.

🚙Looking to rent a car? Find the cheapest car rentals here!

Other Things to Do On your Pilgrimage to Lourdes, France with Kids

Some of the things on the list I have already done on my previous visit to Lourdes when I was still single, and the others on the list, we will definitely do on our future visits to the Sanctuary.

Here are some more things to do in Lourdes on your pilgrimage to Lourdes with your kids:

1. Attend the Marian torchlight procession in the evening – this is a tradition that started in 1872 and it happens daily at 9 pm, where pilgrims carry candles and sing hymns while walking around the Sanctuary.

This was originally on our plan but missed it since my husband was already tired and it was already late for the kids since it was 9 in the evening.

2. Visit the Le Cachot – the dungeon of 16m² (le cachot in French) which was an old prison cell until 1824), where St. Bernadette and her family lived from the winter of 1857 after his father became unemployed, until the fall of 1858.

It is from Le Cachot that Bernadette goes to the Massabielle Grotto to collect bones and dry wood and sees the apparition of the Virgin Mary.

3. Visit Le Petit Lourdes – a replica of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes that is designed for children to learn about the apparitions and the message of Our Lady.

This is one of the things that I would like to see on our next visit.

4. Pray the Rosary in front of the Massabielle Grotto – this is something that I would like to do on our last visit, but my husband said that it’s better we pray the Rosary in the hotel since it’s difficult to control the kids on an open environment. Hopefully, we can finally do this when the kids are a bit older.

5. Do the Stations of the Cross – also known as the Way of the Cross, this Stations of the Cross in the Sanctuary which starts on the left side of the entrance was inaugurated in September 1912, stretches over 1,500 meters on the Hill of Espélugues.

The 15 stations of the Cross have 115 life-size figures in total that are made of cast iron and painted gold.

I was blessed to participate in a Station of the Cross during my very first pilgrimage to Lourdes because it was one of the activities that my group did.

6. Take a guided tour of the Sanctuary – if you want to learn more about its history, and significance, and need someone to guide you and your family, a guided tour of the Sanctuary is highly recommended, especially if you have limited time in Lourdes. It’s going to be a great time-saver.

how much did we spend on our 3-day pilgrimage to Lourdes, France with kids

Overall, we spent around 700-800€ for our 3-day pilgrimage to Lourdes with our kids which includes all expenses: accommodation, food, souvenirs, donations, gas for the car, and miscellaneous expenses.

But this cost can surely be lowered if your family opts for cheaper accommodation, bring more food from home, and be conscious of the unnecessary expenses.

It’s important to note that France is more expensive compared to Spain. A cup of coffee costs 3,20€ in Lourdes, while we can have it for 1,20€ in Spain and the same thing goes for food. The prices are way higher compared to Spain.

FAQs About Lourdes, France with Kids

Is Lourdes, France a safe destination for families with kids?

Yes, Lourdes is generally a safe destination for families with kids. However, as with any destination, it’s important to practice basic safety precautions such as keeping an eye on your belongings and staying aware of your surroundings.