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Pelerins sur le chemin de Saint Jacques de Compostelle aux abords de LourdesEn route vers Saint Jacques de Compostelle. Lourdes, étape incontournable du pèlerin de Saint Jacques
©Randonneurs pèlerins sur le GR78 vers Lourdes.|Pierre VIncent

Along the Way of Saint James

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Spiritual journey

Lourdes is a major stage and meeting point in the paths leading pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. On foot or by bike, each year more and more pilgrims on the Way of St James make the Marian shrine of Lourdes part of their journey.

The Pilgrimage

The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela began after the relics of St James the Great were discovered in the 9th century. A century later, it was one of the great pilgrimages of medieval Christianity. Since then, the Way of St James has been followed by countless hikers, pilgrims and fans of exercise, and all of them nature lovers. The network of trails totalling 1500 km has been listed as part of World Heritage by UNESCO since 1993.

Randonneurs dans les sous-bois à Lourdes sur le chemin de Saint Jacques de CompostelleExclusivité Office Tourisme jusqu'en 2019
©Randonneurs sur le chemin de Lourdes à Saint Jacques de Compostelle|Pierre VIncent
    Lourdes

    Follow the trails

    Lourdes, a stage on the Way of St James, is a town rich in history. Hikers and pilgrims, walkers and believers take the time to visit this spiritual centre. Here, between the plains and the mountains, on the route linking the east of the Pyrenean chain with the Béarn region, two of the pilgrimage trails meet.

    Pèlerins sur le GR78 vers Saint Jacques de Compostelle aux abords de LourdesExclusivité Office Tourisme jusqu'en 2019
    ©Le Gr78 vers le Bois de Lourdes, itinéraire des pèlerins vers Saint Jacques de Compostelle|Pierre Vincent
    The GR101

    From north to south, the GR101 trail takes pilgrims from the Arles and Maubourguet trails to the south of the department to meet up with the GR10 in the mountains or the GR78 to continue on to the Spanish border.

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    Pelerins sur le chemin de Saint Jacques de Compostelle aux abords de LourdesEn route vers Saint Jacques de Compostelle. Lourdes, étape incontournable du pèlerin de Saint Jacques
    ©Randonneurs pèlerins sur le GR78 vers Lourdes.|Pierre VIncent
    The GR 78

    Running from east to west, the GR 78 trail is also known as the Piémont Trail. It arrives in Lourdes via the Col des Trois Croix in the shadow the Pic du Jer, and then continues behind the Sanctuary towards another major Christian site: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bétharram.

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    Pick up your credential

    The credential, or “pilgrim’s passport”, has a strong symbolic value, but is also practical. It certifies your status as a pilgrim, enabling you to stay the night in some reserved hostels, to keep track of your passage with a stamp at each stopping point, and is also, of course, a souvenir of your journey. At the end of your journey in Santiago, you will need your credential to be given the “Compostela”.

    Did you know?

    Credential or créanciale? The word “credential” is a secular term and “créanciale” is a religious and spiritual term used in French. It can be given by the priest in your parish, in some hostels, from the Friends of St James associations or at your starting point.

    St James centre

    The association “À la Croisée des Chemins” has many members in its ranks who have already made the journey. They can help you in person at the St James information centre on Chaussée du Bourg. The centre is open from April to October. Here you can buy your credential, get it stamped, ask for tips from people who have already made the journey and see a whole host of maps and guides and ask for a list of accommodation.

     

    Stopover

    Where to sleep in Lourdes

     As a tremendously important spiritual centre, Lourdes is the starting point chosen by many pilgrims. It is easily accessible by train, plane or bus, and has extensive accommodation facilities, making it an essential place to plan and begin your journey. Lourdes has a wide range of accommodation: hotels, bed & breakfasts, group accommodation or campsites and holiday residences….The choice is yours!

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