My husband and I have about a week in July to travel to and from the San Sebastian Spain area. Does anyone have suggestions on places to visit or stay in the direction of Lourdes, France? I'd like to visit Lourdes, but have decided not to stay there based on some reviews of other travelers. We enjoy history but also require internet and a gym!

My husband and I went from San Sebastian to Lourdes a few years ago. You may want to try and stay in or around Pau, France. It is a short drive to Lourdes and the Pyrenees...it may have better hotel options, and potentially a gym. It is a larger town, less touristy, but much nicer. The Tour de France goes through there almost every year, so you may want to check the date of when it will be near there this year in July. It can be quite busy in the area during that time. Best of luck to you! Make sure that you take a drive through the Pyrenees- it is beautiful in July.

I have stayed at Lourdes many many times and think it is one of the most wonderful places to visit. Visiting the Grotto and the birth place of Bernadette to me was something special and made me have a feeling of peace and tranquility.
Of course you have vendors selling all sorts of nonsense but is that not also part of the enjoyment to bring back a statue or rosery bead or something that takes your fancy.
Good Hotel to stay is Hotel de La Grotte at the foothill of the castle. Very interesting castle.It was at this castle where the moors were stopped by Charlemagne. Long siege whereby the Moorish leader Mirat surrendered and the name of Lourdes was taken from his baptsimal name Lorus. So Lourdes is of Moorish origin. Inside the castle there is the Museum of the Pyrenees. again very interesting.
Some great day trips from Lourdes one being to a place called Cauteret. Takes about an hour by bus from Lourdes bus station. Fantasstic views as the bus climbs above the clouds heading for the Pont Espana. DONT MISS IT.

http://www.hotel-grotte.com/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/cauteret/


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lourdes

On a trip from San Sebastian through the French Pyrenees, I drove through Lourdes to get to Cauterets and I thought it was one of the more horrifying places I've ever been (choosing my words carefully here!) and certainly wouldn't want to spend the night there.

I enjoyed my stay in Cauterets, and my trip up to the Pont d'Espagna, where I would have liked to have spent more time.

The real issue is whether you want to be in the high peaks or would prefer lower down in order to avoid some mountain driving. A good source for towns and lodgings is the "Logis de France" guide for small inns. It has a good map feature.

http://www.logis-de-france.fr/uk/index.htm

PS: I'm sorry I didn't see at first you need a gym. There are number of ski resorts in the area that might offer that amenity.

Lourdes in July can be very hot and humid, sweltering is a better word for it, but Pau can be very nice.