Lourdes

Lourdes is the largest Catholic pilgrimage site in France. It is situated at the foot of the Pyrenees.

Highlights

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes (Les Sanctuaires Notre Dame de Lourdes)
The Grotto of Massabielle. It is the place where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1858 to Bernadette Soubirous, 14-year-old resident of Lourdes
The Basilica of the Rosary (La Basilique du Rosaire) with its famous Venetian mosaics over an area of 2,000 m2.
The Basilica of Saint Pius X is the largest church in Lourdes. The church can accommodate 25,000 people. The church is located near the three other basilicas of Lourdes.
The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception ( La Basilique de l'Immaculée Conception) with beautiful stained-glass windows telling the story of the Virgin Mary.

Lourdes, a place in the south of France, where Mary appeared for the first time to the simple peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous on 11 February 1858. And that was not the only time, several times following. From this moment on, Lourdes also changed. A shrine is built that has attracted many people ever since. Every year, some 5 million tourists and pilgrims visit the city. They come from more than 140 different countries.

Lourdes is a great destination for a day trip (50 minutes by car) from our Bed&Breakfast.

Pau

When you arrive in Pau, you will be fascinated by this exceptional panoramic view of the Pyrenees. The capital of the Béarn offers a unique route through parks and gardens with the Pyrenees in the background. Climbing the famous Boulevard des Pyrénées offers the opportunity to discover places of relaxation and history. Beaumont Park, a legacy of the 19th-century English period, is a lush green setting that now houses the magnificent Beaumont Palace, a historic convention centre. Soon you are in the heart of a dynamic city centre, completely renewed with the Hédas district in particular, a nice walk through the district with its green and playful amenities. A night visit is a must!

Not forgetting the first golf course in Europe built in 1856 in Pau, the 2nd most important horse training centre, the wild water stadium unique in France for water activities on the banks of the river Le Gave de Pau, its Museum of Fine Arts... and its gastronomy with its many restaurants and the brand new Pau Hall, a colourful daily market.

A symbol? It would certainly be the birth of the most beloved king of the French, Henri IV, who was born in 1553 in Pau's magnificent castle....

Pau, the royal city is currently getting a creative, cultural, economic and sporting boost. This is making it one of the most attractive cities in France! And thus definitely worth a visit.

Tarbes

Tarbes, the capital of the Bigorre region. City best known for its very remarkable and beautifully landscaped garden: the Massey Garden. This beautiful landscape park, created in the 19th century by botanist Placide Massey, is home to a large number of rare species of plants. In the middle of the park is a house with Moorish influences, with an observation tower housing the Massey Museum with its collections of Fine Arts and history of hussars.

Also to visit: the Tarbes National Stud, created by Napoleon in 1806 and now a listed historical monument. During the tour of this imperial-style stud, you can discover stallions of different breeds as well as horse-drawn vehicles. The House of the Horse, housed in an old riding school, additionally offers an area dedicated to the world of the horse and its image in the Midi-Pyrénées region. Every year, around the end of July early August, in the context of the national stud farm, the European festival for horses, "Equestria", takes place, a festive event dedicated to the meeting between the world of the horse and the world of art.

For lovers of gastronomy, a visit to the Marcadieumarkthal is recommended. There is a fresh market on every Thursday morning. Another city you must have seen....