Okay, so I wanted to plan a trip to Lourdes, France, and honestly, I was a bit overwhelmed at first. There’s so much information out there, it’s hard to know where to start!
Figuring Out the “Why”
First, I thought about why I wanted to go. Was it purely religious? Was I interested in the history? Or was it more of a general sightseeing thing? For me, it was a mix of all three, which helped me narrow down what I wanted to get out of the trip.
Getting There – Flights and Trains!
Next up, the practical stuff. I started by looking at flights. I checked a few different websites, playing around with dates to see what was cheapest. Flying directly into Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport (LDE) seemed easiest, but it was also pricier. I also considered flying into Toulouse or even Biarritz and then taking a train.
- Checked flight comparison websites.
- Compared direct flights vs. flights with connections.
- Looked at train options from nearby cities.
In the end, I found a decent flight to Toulouse and decided to take the train from there to Lourdes. It seemed like a good balance of cost and convenience, plus I figured I could see a bit of the French countryside along the way!
Finding a Place to Stay
Then came the accommodation. I browsed through a bunch of hotel booking sites. There are tons of hotels in Lourdes, catering to all budgets. I wanted something reasonably close to the Sanctuary, but not right in the middle of the busiest area. After reading a lot of reviews, I picked a small, family-run hotel that seemed to have a good reputation.
Planning the Itinerary – What to See and Do?
This was the fun part! I knew I wanted to visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, of course, including the Grotto, the Basilicas, and participate in the processions. But I also wanted to explore the town itself.
- Researched the main religious sites.
- Looked for information on the processions and services.
- Checked out other attractions in Lourdes (the castle, the Pic du Jer funicular).
- Made a rough itinerary, leaving room for flexibility.
I found some great blog posts and articles about things to do in Lourdes, and I added a few things to my list, like visiting the Château fort de Lourdes and taking the funicular up to the Pic du Jer for some amazing views.
Packing and Prepping
Finally, I made a packing list. Comfortable shoes are a MUST – lots of walking! I also packed some modest clothing, appropriate for visiting religious sites. I double-checked my passport and travel insurance, and I made sure I had some Euros on hand.
The Result!
After all that planning, the trip was amazing! Actually going there, It was all surprisingly smooth,
I followed my itinerary loosely, but also allowed for spontaneity.
It turned to be a great success,
I even made a new friend on the train!
My biggest piece of advice? Don’t over-plan! Leave room for unexpected discoveries and just enjoy the experience.
