The sanctuary at Lourdes is a sacred place where every detail carries a strong symbolism. Among the most significant particular signs are five key elements that represent both the Christian faith and the story of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary. These signs contribute to the spiritual experience of pilgrims from all over the world. Here are these five signs and their representations. Read more...

The Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, the site of the famous Marian apparitions of 1858, is an iconic site open to the public all year round. However, although it is a permanently accessible place of prayer and meditation, there are times when access to the grotto may be temporarily restricted or closed. Read more...

No, visiting the grotto at Lourdes, also known as the grotto at Massabielle, is entirely free. The Sanctuary of Lourdes, where the grotto is located, is a place of pilgrimage open to all, with no entrance fee. Pilgrims and visitors can freely go into the grotto to pray, touch the rock, and access other emblematic places of the shrine, such as the basilica, the pools, and the processional paths. Read more...

A gesture of faith and connectionTouching the rock at the Massabielle grotto in Lourdes is an act charged with spirituality for pilgrims from all over the world. This simple gesture consists of brushing against the rock face where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. For believers, this stone represents much more than just a natural feature. It bears witness to these apparitions and to the divine presence in this sacred place. Laying your hand on the rock allows you to feel a direct connection with this miraculous event, to soak up the spiritual power of the place and enter into communion with millions of faithful before them. Read more...

The grotto of Massabielle, located in Lourdes in the Hautes-Pyrénées, is one of the most emblematic places in Christianity. It was here, in 1858, that Bernadette Soubirous, a young peasant girl, claimed to have seen eighteen apparitions of the Virgin Mary. The grotto, once modest and little-known, has become a worldwide spiritual centre, attracting millions of pilgrims every year. Read more...