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Grotte de Massabielle: The Heart of Lourdes

Visit the Grotte de Massabielle in Lourdes, a site of Marian apparitions, healing waters, and spiritual significance for millions of pilgrims.

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The Grotte de Massabielle, or Grotto of Massabielle, is the most important site in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. It is where, in 1858, the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to a local girl named Bernadette Soubirous. Visited by millions annually, it is a place of prayer, reflection, and healing.

A brief summary to Grotte de Massabielle

Local tips

  • The Grotto is open 24 hours a day, so you can visit at any time that suits you.
  • Bring a candle to light in front of the Grotto as a sign of devotion.
  • Drink water from the spring, believed to have healing properties.
  • Touch the walls of the Grotto as a sign of respect or to make a prayer.
  • Attend a mass or procession at the Grotto to participate in the community's spiritual experience.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Lourdes train station, the Grotte de Massabielle is approximately a 20-minute walk. Exit the station and follow the marked route towards the Sanctuary of Notre Dame de Lourdes. The route is well-signposted and takes you through the town center. Once you arrive at the Sanctuary, follow signs for the Grotte. There are no costs associated with walking.

  • Public Transport

    From various points in Lourdes, you can take a bus to the Grotte de Massabielle. Several bus lines stop near the Grotte, including lines 535, 965, TL and L2. A single bus ticket costs around €2. Check local bus schedules for the most up-to-date information.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available in Lourdes and can take you directly to the Grotte de Massabielle. A taxi ride from the Lourdes train station to the Grotte is approximately 4 minutes and costs between €6-€8. Taxi stands are located near the train station and other central locations.

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Discover more about Grotte de Massabielle

The Grotte de Massabielle is the focal point of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, drawing an estimated 6 million visitors each year. In 1858, a 14-year-old local girl named Bernadette Soubirous claimed to have experienced 18 apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the grotto. On February 11, 1858, Bernadette, while gathering firewood with her sister and a friend, first saw the vision of a lady in white. The lady eventually identified herself as the Immaculate Conception. The grotto itself is a simple cave, and a spring emerged during Bernadette's visit, now believed to have healing properties. The water is channeled into public wells where visitors can drink it. The Grotto is open year-round and is accessible to all. Visitors can touch the cave walls, light candles, and attend ceremonies. A statue of the Virgin Mary, sculpted by Joseph-Hugues Fabisch, stands in the niche where the apparitions occurred. Today, the Grotte de Massabielle remains a powerful symbol of faith and hope. Pilgrims and visitors come to pray, meditate, and seek healing. The atmosphere is one of reverence and peace, offering solace to those who visit.

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