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...

After the 18 apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous between 11 February and 16 July 1858, Lourdes became an essential place of pilgrimage for millions of believers around the world. These extraordinary events not only transformed Bernadette's life, but also had a profound impact on the local community, the Catholic Church and Christian spirituality. Read more...

Historical and Social Background At the time, France was in the midst of a period of social and political upheaval. Lourdes, a rural village, was affected by poverty and illiteracy. Against this difficult backdrop, Bernadette, from a modest family, went to the grotto at Massabielle with her sister and a friend to gather wood. This ordinary moment was transformed into an extraordinary encounter with the divine. Read more...