Lourdes is a city in southwestern France in the Occitanie region, located in the foothills of the Pyrenees and on the banks of the Gave de Pau river. It is known for the Sanctuaries of Our Lady of Lourdes, a Catholic pilgrimage site, where millions of visitors come to the Massabielle Grotto, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared in 1858. Pilgrims can drink or bathe in the spring water from the grotto.
Highlights of the religious city include the Rosary Esplanade, the Notre-Dame Basilica, the Crypt, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the underground Basilica of Saint Pius X, the Santa Bernadette Space, and the Way of the Cross with its 15 stations. The torchlight procession, which takes place every night from April to October, is also popular. Lourdes has a population of 15,000.
Lourdes is well equipped to receive tourists with reduced mobility, with accessible beaches, adapted excursions, theme parks, accessible restaurants, and more. Enjoy your stay!
Lourdes Tourist Offices:
The city of Lourdes has two tourist offices located in the city center, open Mon-Sat 9:00 am to 6:30 pm and Sun 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. The staff is multilingual and able to assist with any questions or needs.
They offer information on local activities, accommodations, and restaurants, and are accessible to people with reduced mobility. Payments can be made with cash, credit or debit card.
Champ Commun office:
Address and contact:
- Pl. du Champ Commun, 65100 Lourdes, France
- Telephone: (+33) 562427740
Peyramale Office:
Address and contact:
- Place Peyramale, 65100 Lourdes, France
- Telephone: 05.62.42.77.40
- info@lourdes-intourisme.com
Airport:
The nearest airport is Tarbes Lourdes Pyrenees. This small airport receives flights from Paris, London, Manchester or Brussels, but there are also flights to Alicante, Murcia or Valencia.
Located on an area of 15,000 m², the terminal reserved for commercial passengers has 16 check-in counters and various infrastructures for people with reduced mobility. Inaugurated in 2011, a second terminal of 500 m2 includes a VIP room, a meeting room and a relaxation area for business and private flights. Passengers have at their disposal more than 700 free parking spaces, divided between 3 parking areas, as well as different types of services, such as free Internet access for one hour throughout the airport.
This airport is one of the most advanced in terms of care for people with reduced mobility, as it offers an adapted passenger route for quick and comfortable access to the aircraft and its final destination.
The airport has perfectly adapted and unique equipment in the international airport sector:
- Specific forklifts for loading and unloading of People with Reduced Mobility;
- Bathrooms for a "Specialized Reception" located on the arrivals level and on the departures level, these waiting rooms are dedicated exclusively to people with reduced mobility and the sick and offer an adjoining infirmary, areas with beds and approved sanitary facilities;
- An exclusive screening checkpoint for PMR passengers traveling in groups;
- Specific size elevators, which lead from one level to another with ease and safety.
- Many wheelchairs available at the airport.
Disabled passengers traveling alone:
The assistance service can be requested at least 2 hours before the departure of the flight:
- In the short-term car park P1 (30 free reserved parking spaces ), go to one of the 2 call terminals.
- At the check-in counter for your flight.
- At the information desk located on the departures level of the travel agency.
- At the SPECIALIZED RECEPTION counter located behind the departure counter.
Passengers with reduced mobility benefit from priority boarding.
Passengers with temporary disabilities or people with mobility difficulties (elderly people, for example) can also benefit from the assistance service at the airport upon request (2 hours before flight departure).
Disabled passengers traveling in groups:
Passengers traveling in groups on charter flights are treated by Notre Dame de Lourdes hospitals at the request of the Tour Operator or the Travel Agency.
IMPORTANT: ask the airline or your travel agency for assistance.
From the airport to Lourdes: From Tarbes airport to Lourdes there are several ways to get there:
- Bus: TLP Shuttle Bus - Lourdes City Center Service
- TLP airport shuttles take you directly to Lourdes (Gare SNCF and Paradis stops) at the airport.
- The schedules are adapted to the arrivals and departures of the flights.
- The shuttles run every day of the year, including holidays.
- Stop at the airport: on the arrivals level of the terminal.
- Lourdes city center stop: avenue du Paradis.
- Lourdes train station stop.
- In the event of a flight delay, the departure of the transport service will be guaranteed.
- Bus :TLP Ferry Schedule. T7 and TL shuttles - Service to Tarbes and Lourdes stations all year round.The airport is serviced throughout the year by bus lines T7 and TL:
- T7 line
- It serves as a link between the Tarbes – SNCF station and the airport via Juillan
- 1 pass every 90 minutes.
- This line does not operate on Sundays and holidays
- TL line
- It serves as a link between the Tarbes – SNCF station and the SNCF station and the Lourdes bus station.
- 1 pass every 60 minutes and every 30 minutes between 6.30am and 7.30am and between 5pm and 6pm.
- This line does not operate on Sundays and holidays.
The ferries are picked up on the arrivals level, next to the escalators. For people with reduced mobility and who have a reservation, there is a helpline: Telephone (+33) 562931393
- Taxi: Several taxi companies provide service at the airport, here we leave you the contact of two of them that have cars adapted to PMR:
- TARBES TAXIS:
- Tarbais Radio Taxis Association
- Telephone (+33) 5.62.34.32.36
- TAXIS SAN ANTONIO:
- Telephone: (+33) 5.62.53.18.18
- Rental cars: As in most airports, we can find car rental companies and all of them have a counter in the terminal (level 0 - arrivals hall) or in the rental car park, and you can pick up the car as soon as you arrive.
Transport in Lourdes:
Train:
The SNCF operates daily commuter trains to Pau and Tarbes, as well as medium and long-distance trains to cities such as Toulouse, Bordeaux, Hendaye and Paris (using TGV or Intercités trains). Additionally, trains run daily between Barcelona and Lourdes. To check accessibility and services on trains originating in Spain, visit https://www.renfe.com/.
Bus:
Lourdes offers convenient bus transportation with multiple accessible lines for those in electric wheelchairs.
- Line 1 travels the city north to south and covers the train station, downtown, covered market, and tourist office.
- Line 2 goes to Lake Lourdes from the center and train station.
- Line 3 connects the east part of the city (towards Bagnères de Bigorre) to the center and train station.
- Lines 4 and 5 provide service from the station or Pic du Jer to the Sanctuary and its surroundings.
Tourist train:
Lourdes features a tourist train, accessible for those with disabilities, running from April 1 to October 31. The train departs every 20 minutes and takes about 45 minutes to complete its route, showcasing the city's top tourist attractions.
The "LOURDES PASS" offers a cost-effective option, including access to the tourist train as well as the wax museum and Petit Lourdes.
The tourist train includes an audio guide available in 8 different languages.
Private car:
Getting to Lourdes from Spain:
There are several roads that lead to Lourdes from Spain, the most common are:
- If you leave from Madrid you have to take the A1 and the journey takes about 6 hours and a half.
- If you leave from Barcelona, the best option is to take the A2 and the journey takes about 5 hours and a half.
Getting to Lourdes from Tolosa or Tarbes
Lourdes is located just 180 kilometers from Tolosa. The A64 highway towards Lourdes will take you to intersection no. 12 at the Tarbes-West exit. Finally the national 21 will take you directly to Lourdes.
Getting to Lourdes from Bordeaux or Pau
Thanks to the new A65 motorway that leads from Bordeaux to Pau and then the A64 motorway from Pau to Soumoulou (junction no. 11) the journey takes just under 3 hours. If you are in a hurry to get there, we recommend that you take the national road 117 from Soumoulou to Lourdes, otherwise we recommend that you enjoy the tourist route that passes through the Bétharram sanctuaries and the Bétharram caves.
Once in Lourdes there are numerous car parks for people with reduced mobility throughout the town. In the area of the sanctuaries you have the possibility of parking on Peyramale or Paradis avenues and on Boulevard Rémi Sempé. Keep in mind that these car parks are also paid on Sundays and holidays.
Useful information: The streets of Lourdes that lead from the city center to the sanctuaries have the peculiarity of changing direction every 15 days, so it is advisable to check the direction of the street before venturing out.
The Mountain Luge:
We propose an activity that will surprise you. We are talking about The Mountain Luge. This activity is prepared to receive people with reduced mobility and it is about sleds that allow you to slide down the mountainside in complete safety.
The circuit is prepared and designed to be able to slide (alone or with a companion) and in which you can reach speeds of up to 45 km/h. You control the speed through the brake lever you have in your hand. Comfortable and safe, discover unique sensations. Children from 3 to 7 years old must be accompanied.
Entry:
This attraction is open a few days a year, and we recommend contacting them to confirm dates and times. The standard price is €6 for both adults and children.
This attraction has a restaurant, shop, cafeteria, games area and parking adapted for people with reduced mobility.
Toilets: It has accessible bathrooms for people with reduced mobility.
Accessibility:
The best way to get there is by private car as it has parking with spaces reserved for PMR.
- Address and contact:
- STEM Hautacam Station du Hautacam 65400 BEAUCENS
- Telephone: (+33) 5629710
- Web: www.hautacam.com
Le Bodegon Restaurant: https://www.lebodegon.com/
Le Bodegon is a grill restaurant and brewery in Lourdes that offers traditional French cuisine using local ingredients bought daily at the market. The restaurant is accessible for those with disabilities, but its bathroom is not.
- Address and contact:
- 9 BC Paradise – 65100 Lourdes
- Telephone: (+33)562945613
Le Parc Lourdes Restaurant: https://www.restaurantleparclourdes.com/
Le Parc Lourdes is an elegant brasserie restaurant with a refined atmosphere, white tablecloths, and fast service. Their cuisine focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients.
The restaurant is accessible for those with disabilities and has an adapted bathroom
Address and contact:
- 16 Avenue de la Gare 65100 Lourdes
- Telephone: (+33) 562943818
Le Van Gogh Restaurant: https://le-van-gogh-brasserie.business.site/
Le Van Gogh is a highly-rated pizzeria restaurant located in a sunny square. They are known for their handmade and fresh pizzas.
The restaurant is accessible for those with disabilities and has an adapted bathroom.
Address and contact:
- 16 Pl. Marcadal, 65100 Lourdes, France
- Telephone: (+33) 562939086