Would you like to visit one of the most important Marian shrines in Europe? On this small group day trip to Lourdes, we'll depart from Toulouse to visit the famous basilicas of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of the Rosary and St. Pius X.
Day Trip Details
We'll meet at the indicated time at the central Place d'Arménie and, from this square located on Jean Jaurès Avenue in Toulouse, we'll head west in a small group with a maximum of 8 people.
After about a 2-hour drive, we'll arrive at the town of Lourdes, which is home to one of the most important Marian Shrines in Europe. It's also a major centre of pilgrimage. According to tradition, it was here that the little girl Bernadette Soubirous witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1858.
Once we arrive at the sanctuary, we'll take a guided tour of the three main basilicas of Lourdes. The first of these is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the oldest of the whole complex. In this church, consecrated in 1876, we'll see some beautiful stained-glass windows related to the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
After visiting this temple, which is also known as the Upper Church, we'll continue our tour of Lourdes at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. Its Romanesque-Byzantine decoration and mosaics are particularly noteworthy and are sure to leave you in awe.
We'll complete our tour of Lourdes at the underground basilica of Saint Pius X, which was consecrated in 1958 to commemorate the centenary of the apparitions. This church is also noted for its daily Eucharistic procession.
At the end of the guided tour, you'll have approximately 1 hour of free time in Lourdes for lunch and to explore the town at your leisure.
Finally, we'll meet back up to begin the journey back to the meeting point in Toulouse, where we'll end this 8-hour day trip.
