Need Info on Lourdes
Jan 18th, 2000, 06:06 PM
#1
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Need Info on Lourdes
I need help! My mother is begging me to take her to Lourdes. I have never been to France before and would have prefered to visit Paris. What is the distance? Which is the easiest/closest location to fly into?Would that be Nice? If anyone can give me some guidelines I sure would appreciate it. Thanks for all the helpful/entertaining info I read nightly!
Jan 19th, 2000, 05:40 AM
#2
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Deb, I know this isn't what you asked for, but ..... Last year when we visited Paris, we took a side trip (2 hrs. by train) to Nevers France. In that small town, there is a convent where St. Bernadette lived, studied and took her holy vows. The chapel, grotto and grounds are open to the public. In the chapel, the remains of St. Bernadette are preserved (the miracle is that they found her body had not decomposed when her grave was dug up many years after her death). We discovered this tiny place is visited by many, many pilgrims every day. We arrived at the convent in time for 11:30 Mass, and inside the chapel about 125 people already were there. Our visit was either a Thursday or Friday. The convent is the only attraction we saw in the town(except an old, old church on a side street), .... but it had charm and quaintness, back streets to explore, everyday stores near the train station, and very good chocolates. This was truly a highlight of our visit to Paris. Certainly not Lourdes ... but very close to it. Just an fyi.
Jan 19th, 2000, 08:49 AM
#3
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Hi, Deb. For the past 3 years, my parents and I have been going to Lourdes on a pilgrimage.
There is an Air France flight from Paris to Lourdes and vice versa which takes approximately 45 mins to 1 hour. Just check the AF web-site for flight schedules and frequencies.
We took the train once and it was a very long trip. I think it's a waste of time.
Since you & your mother have to fly from
Paris, why don't you visit both cities. Do Lourdes first and Paris afterwards.
Lourdes has become a very "commercial" place but there is that indescribable feeling of holiness and solemnity in Lourdes. People of different nationalities gather to pray; hoping for miracles. You should at least experience Lourdes and see for yourself how many believers there are. It's amazing.
Every evening at 8:00, there is a procession around the church grounds. Rain or shine, freezing or hot weather, you can be sure that the procession will push through.
If you and your mother are Catholics and are firm believers of the Our Lady of Lourdes, then by all means, go and experience the solemnity of the place.
May I also suggest that you stay in a hotel called Hotel Saint Sauveur. It is centrally located and within walking distance from the Grotto. Not a five-star hotel but clean and comfortable enough.
There is an Air France flight from Paris to Lourdes and vice versa which takes approximately 45 mins to 1 hour. Just check the AF web-site for flight schedules and frequencies.
We took the train once and it was a very long trip. I think it's a waste of time.
Since you & your mother have to fly from
Paris, why don't you visit both cities. Do Lourdes first and Paris afterwards.
Lourdes has become a very "commercial" place but there is that indescribable feeling of holiness and solemnity in Lourdes. People of different nationalities gather to pray; hoping for miracles. You should at least experience Lourdes and see for yourself how many believers there are. It's amazing.
Every evening at 8:00, there is a procession around the church grounds. Rain or shine, freezing or hot weather, you can be sure that the procession will push through.
If you and your mother are Catholics and are firm believers of the Our Lady of Lourdes, then by all means, go and experience the solemnity of the place.
May I also suggest that you stay in a hotel called Hotel Saint Sauveur. It is centrally located and within walking distance from the Grotto. Not a five-star hotel but clean and comfortable enough.
Jan 19th, 2000, 01:02 PM
#5
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Hi Deb,
My mom also made sure we had to stop in Lourdes when we went to Europe in 98. So we flew into Toulouse on British Airways(connecting from London Gatwick) and stayed there for 2 nights. Lourdes is about a 2 hr, quiet train ride away. We were glad we decided to stay in Toulouse because it was less touristy and is a great introduction to European life. After Toulouse, we went on to Paris, which was about a 4-5 hour train ride.
When in Lourdes, try to explore away from the grotto, around the residential areas. We inadvertently found a great indoor market with all the fresh produce, deli meats, and cheese galore! That was one of our most memorable lunches of the whole trip.
My mom also made sure we had to stop in Lourdes when we went to Europe in 98. So we flew into Toulouse on British Airways(connecting from London Gatwick) and stayed there for 2 nights. Lourdes is about a 2 hr, quiet train ride away. We were glad we decided to stay in Toulouse because it was less touristy and is a great introduction to European life. After Toulouse, we went on to Paris, which was about a 4-5 hour train ride.
When in Lourdes, try to explore away from the grotto, around the residential areas. We inadvertently found a great indoor market with all the fresh produce, deli meats, and cheese galore! That was one of our most memorable lunches of the whole trip.
Jan 6th, 2008, 04:05 AM
#7
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We have a place a few miles away from Lourdes, and I would urge you to do one of two things.
Either way, definitely fly.
I'd urge you to stay a day or two, but don't stay in Lourdes which is pretty bowff because of the trashy flashing virgins. There are some really lovely places in the mountains round about.
Or, go in and out in one day by plane.
Either way, definitely fly.
I'd urge you to stay a day or two, but don't stay in Lourdes which is pretty bowff because of the trashy flashing virgins. There are some really lovely places in the mountains round about.
Or, go in and out in one day by plane.
