Lourdes Private Tour: Bernadette's Birthplace & Grotto

Walk the sites where Bernadette saw Our Lady in 1858

A private guided walking tour of Lourdes with a local expert guide who shows you the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, the fountains and baths, Bernadette Soubirous's birthplace, the former jail where she lived during the apparitions, and the underground basilica dedicated to Pope Pius X. Your guide meets you at your hotel or the railway station and accompanies you for the full three hours, explaining the religious history and architecture at each stop. The tour is available in English or French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private guided tour of Lourdes

• Meet guide at hotel or station
• Visit birthplace of Bernadette Soubirous
• Tour the former jail "Cachot"
• See baptismal font in parish church

The experience

Lourdes is built around the grotto where a fourteen-year-old girl named Bernadette Soubirous reported seeing Our Lady in 1858. A private guide walks you through the sites tied to her story: her birthplace, the Cachot (the former jail where she lived during the events), and the font where she was baptised in the parish church. The guide explains what happened at each place and the religious significance that has drawn pilgrims here for over 160 years.

The tour takes in the major basilicas and their architecture, including the underground basilica dedicated to Pope Pius X, which can hold 25,000 people for mass. You'll also visit the fountains and baths where visitors come to experience the healing waters. Your guide is accredited and works year-round welcoming people from around the world, so they know how to pace the walk and answer questions as you move through the sanctuary.

Pickup happens at your hotel lobby or the railway station, and your guide stays with you throughout. The walk covers three hours and suits all fitness levels. The site is wheelchair accessible, and prams or strollers work for infants and small children. Public transport options are nearby if you need them.

What’s included

• Professional local guide.
• hotel or railway station pickup.
• access to the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, the fountains and baths, Bernadette Soubirous's birthplace, the Cachot, the parish church font, and the underground basilica dedicated to Pope Pius X.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 14:00 and 15:30

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Pyrenespirit

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want a guide who stays with you for the full three hours and can answer questions about Bernadette's story and the religious history of Lourdes as you walk. The one-on-one or small-group format means you set the pace and your guide tailors explanations to what interests you most.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

What did Bernadette Soubirous see at the grotto in Lourdes?

Bernadette, aged fourteen, reported seeing Our Lady at the grotto in 1858. The tour follows the places connected to her life during those events (her birthplace, the jail where she lived, and the parish church where she was baptised), and your guide explains the religious history of what happened there.

Can I visit the fountains and baths during the tour?

Yes, the fountains and baths are included in the tour. Visitors come to experience the healing waters, and your guide will show you these sites as part of the walk through the sanctuary.

How big is the underground basilica dedicated to Pope Pius X?

The underground basilica can hold 25,000 people for mass. It is one of the major structures in Lourdes, and your guide will explain its architecture and significance during the tour.

Where does the guide pick me up, and how long does the tour take?

Your guide meets you at your hotel lobby or at the railway station and accompanies you for three hours. All pickup and transportation from these points are included in the tour price.

Is the tour accessible for people with mobility needs?

Yes, all areas and surfaces of the tour are wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and public transportation options are available nearby if needed.