Is entry to the Lourdes Grotto free?

Yes. Entry to the Grotto of the Apparitions is free of charge.

Is it safe to drink the water from the Grotto of Lourdes?

Yes. The fountains near the Grotto are fed by the spring discovered by Bernadette in 1858. The water is safe to drink, is regularly tested, and anyone is free to drink it on the spot or take some away.

What time can you visit the Grotto of Lourdes?

The Grotto is open every day of the year, subject to the Sanctuary’s opening hours to the public. Visitors are not permitted inside the Grotto during services (see the daily programme at the Sanctuary’s information point).

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A family in front of the Grotto of Lourdes
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Pierre VIncent

The Grotto of the Apparitions

at the heart of the Sanctuary

The Grotto of the Apparitions

Here at Massabielle, the Grotto of the Apparitions is a place to be discovered as much as it is to be felt. The murmur of the water, the rock, the light of the candles and the silence combine to create a place where time seems to stand still. A place where one takes time for oneself, and for others.

Why you’re going to love it!

Discover a story

In 1858, Lourdes was a small town with a population of over 4,000. On 11 February, Bernadette Soubirous went down to the banks of the Gave, at the Rock of Massabielle, to gather dead wood. At that time, this spot, nicknamed the ‘pig pen’, was rarely visited and served as a refuge for animals.

That is where everything changed. Bernadette recounted hearing ‘something like a gust of wind’ before catching sight of a Lady in the crevice of the rock. This first apparition was followed by 17 more, up until 16 July 1858, making the Grotto a place known throughout the world.

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Statue of the Virgin Mary in the Grotto of the Apparitions at Lourdes
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Pierre VIncent

Walk to the Cave — ©
A visit to the Grotto in Lourdes
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P.Vincent - Office de Tourisme de Lourdes

Touching the rock

For over 160 years, millions of visitors have paused before this rock face. For many, placing a hand on the stone is a simple, silent and deeply personal gesture.

Over the decades, the constant flow of visitors has slowly polished the rock. Now smooth, soft and shiny in places, it bears the marks of the countless hands that have touched it, making this discreet gesture one of the most iconic features of the Grotto of the Apparitions.

What’s in store for you

A place where people from all walks of life come together

The Sanctuary enjoys international renown. The diversity of languages, cultures and backgrounds is an integral part of the experience.

A natural setting

Nestled within the rock face at Massabielle, the Grotto of the Apparitions is lapped by the waters of the Gave de Pau and surrounded by greenery

A tour to enjoy at your own pace

A few minutes or more… everyone can choose how much time they wish to spend in the Cave. It’s a place you can explore without a set route, following your own desires and your own path.

A place that makes you feel good

A place where tranquillity and silence reign, fostering a sense of contemplation.

The water of Lourdes

At the heart of the Grotto, the spring discovered by Bernadette continues to flow quietly. For over 160 years, its water has accompanied the journey of millions of visitors.

The nearby fountains allow everyone to drink the water of Lourdes or take some away with them. To extend this experience, the Sanctuary also offers the ‘gesture of water’and bathing in the Pools – a moment to be savoured in simplicity, at one’s own pace.