We will be in Lourdes for one day, or part of a day, arriving by car. Does anyone have up-to-date info on parking facilities? Any other comments on the town, the tourist sites, etc.? Thanks. K

If you check the Lourdes tourist office - there is a whole section on 'stationnement' - parking.

http://www.lourdes-infotourisme.com/...cces/route.asp

Click 'voir le plan' and you'll see where they all are.

Since you ask for other comments on the town, I wouldn't actually go to Lourdes, which I found terribly commercial and disturbing, rather than holy. I'd find a lovely village church - but that's just my opinion.

Thanks, Carlux, "disturbing, rather than holy" is what I thought and I'd rather not go, but I think DH wants to check it out. Thanks for the website. Somehow I missed it when browsing.

I don't like it. You can wlkk the Rue de la Grotte for the laughs- you cannot CONCEIVE of how many ways they've found to depict the Virgin!

But I have been told (I haven't done it myself) that it's beautiful and peaceful in the Grotto itself.

It's been many years since I've been to Lourdes and the tacky souvenir shops have probably multiplied since then. Ignore them and go directly to the grotto. It is peaceful, beautiful, and spiritual. These many years later I still remember the way I felt walking through the grotto.

Thanks Sheila and adrienne -- we're still weighing the pros and cons. Since we'll be in the area anyway, we'll probably go.

I promised my DH 24 hours in Lourdes and that is all we did. That is all we wanted too!

I actually don't mind the gazillion tacky souvenir stores - they are a laugh and I could not resist buying a Virgin Mary water bottle (but I only bought a small one).

Inside the sanctuary area is just as crazy. My experience in the end had some spiritual moments - we went to Mass, Confession, walked the stations of the cross all of which were good. The candlelight Marion procession in the evening is quite moving (but I still found it a little weird).

But I think my daughter described it best as "the whole place as Disneyland for Catholics of a Certain Age".

Was it worth going - yes.

Will I go back - very much doubt it.

We stayed overnight at

Citotel de la Vallee if you are interested. Pretty good, had parking.

http://www.hotel-vallee-lourdes.fede...page_en_1.html

Sorry - meant to say we were there a month ago.

aussiefive, Well I guess these "Catholics of a certain age" are off to Disneyland! Thanks for the hotel recommendation. We have reservations several miles away so we'll be day-trippers only.

Your day will be worth it. Have fun.

Anyone heading for Lourdes should definitely not miss one of the most stunning natural wonders just a bike ride from Lourdes. The Cirque de Gavarnie is an amazing site. Try to stay there overnight so that you miss the day trippers. Well worth it. Have a look at http://www.jeremytaylor.eu/gavarnie.htm The cirque itself is on the second page.

Planning a trip to Lourdes next May... day trip only, and thanks to this thread, now grotto only, but a gals got to eat: any good restaurants you might suggest?