How long does it take to walk the Chemin de Bernadette?

The route is best explored on foot. The duration depends on how much time you spend at each stage and at the various places of interest. However, you should allow at least 1 hour 30 minutes for the walk.

Is the course free to access?

The route through the town is open to all. However, some attractions may have their own visitor conditions.

How do I follow the route?

The route is marked by brass studs bearing the image of Bernadette and features immersive videos accessible along the way. A leaflet is also available from the Lourdes Tourist Office.

What's not to be missed?

Many of the activities on offer in Lourdes are ideal for families.

Bernadette’s Path

Exploring Lourdes through the places where Bernadette Soubirous lived offers a fresh perspective on the town. From the Moulin de Boly to the Cachot, and from the former Hospice to the parish church, this route connects the key stages of her childhood and daily life. Marked by brass studs and enriched with immersive content, it offers a deeper understanding of Bernadette’s story and the context in which the Apparitions of 1858 took place.

In the Footsteps of Bernadette

A tour through the heart of Lourdes

The Bernadette Trail links the main places where Bernadette Soubirous lived before and after the Apparitions. The Boly Mill, where she was born; the Cachot, where her family settled during the winter of 1857; the Hospice of the Sisters of Nevers; the former presbytery; the parish church; and her father’s house each tell a chapter of her story. The route is easy to follow on foot thanks to the brass studs set into the streets of Lourdes.

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Bernadette Soubirous, the dungeon at Lourdes
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Office de Tourisme de Lourdes

Understanding the History of the Apparitions

Following this route means putting the Apparitions back into their context. Before she became known throughout the world, Bernadette was a young girl from Lourdes whose life revolved around school, family and the challenges of everyday life. The places you pass through offer a better understanding of her story and the events of 1858 that left a profound mark on Lourdes.

What’s in store for you

Discover Lourdes in a different way

Take a trip back in time and discover the story of the Apparitions by following in Bernadette’s footsteps.

Gaining a better understanding of the story of Bernadette Soubirous

Each stage sheds light on the Apparitions of 1858 and on the development of the Sanctuary.

An experience enriched with immersive content

Videos available throughout the tour complement the visit and help to place each site in its historical context.

Take the time to observe

The route is best explored on foot, as you wander through the streets, leaving room for curiosity and discovery – and, above all, at your own pace

A visit enhanced by digital technology

Throughout the tour, immersive videos complement the experience and provide historical context on the various sites. They enhance the visit whilst allowing visitors to explore at their own pace.

Take a look at our brochure

TESTIMONIAL

The immersive tour is a real highlight that’s sure to delight young and old alike. You really are drawn into the story, and once the sequence is over, you can’t wait to discover the next one!

Cédric