Every year, millions of pilgrims from all over the world travel to Lourdes to entrust their prayer intentions to the Virgin Mary, draw water from the spring at the Grotto of Massabielle, and spend a few days of peace in this unique place.
In 2026, Lourdes will once again welcome pilgrims of all ages, whether they come alone, with their families, as part of a parish group or with a diocese. For some, it will be their first pilgrimage, whilst others will return, as they do every year, drawn by this atmosphere of prayer, fellowship and hope that cannot be found anywhere else.
Why go on a pilgrimage to Lourdes? What does a visit involve? What can you experience there? Find out everything you need to know to prepare for your pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2026.
Why go on a pilgrimage to Lourdes?
Lourdes is not merely a tourist destination.
Above all, it is a place to encounter God, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary.
Since the apparitions to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, millions of people have come here to entrust their sufferings, their joys, their questions and their thanksgiving to God.
Many testify that they have returned home with a new sense of inner peace, a renewed faith or deep consolation, even when their difficulties remain.
A pilgrimage to Lourdes is often an opportunity to slow down the pace of daily life and make more room for prayer and silence.
Lourdes, a site of apparitions recognised by the Church
Between 11 February and 16 July 1858, the young Bernadette Soubirous claimed to have seen a ‘Beautiful Lady’ eighteen times in the grotto of Massabielle.
On 25 March 1858, she revealed her identity:
‘I am the Immaculate Conception. ”
Just a few years earlier, in 1854, Pope Pius IX had proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
Following a lengthy investigation, the Catholic Church officially recognised the apparitions at Lourdes in 1862.
Since then, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes has become one of the world’s greatest Marian pilgrimage sites.
Why do so many people come to Lourdes?
There are many reasons.
Some people come:
- to seek physical healing;
- to find inner peace;
- to give thanks to the Virgin Mary;
- to undergo a process of conversion;
- to pray for a sick loved one;
- to entrust a difficult family situation;
- to discern an important decision.
Others simply wish to discover this place they have heard about since childhood.
Every pilgrim arrives with their own story.
And each one leaves with a deeply personal experience.
The highlights of a pilgrimage to Lourdes
A stay in Lourdes is punctuated by numerous moments of prayer and celebration.
The Grotto of Massabielle
The Grotto is the heart of the Sanctuary.
It was here that Bernadette met the Virgin Mary.
Pilgrims come here to pray in silence, light a candle, touch the rock or simply spend a few moments in this deeply spiritual place.
For many, this is the most memorable moment of the pilgrimage.
The Marian torchlight procession
Every evening, thousands of pilgrims gather with a candle.
The procession winds its way through the Sanctuary in a unique atmosphere.
Hymns to the Virgin Mary, notably the ‘Ave Maria of Lourdes’, are sung in many languages.
Seeing this vast crowd praying with one voice remains an unforgettable experience.
The Eucharistic procession
Every afternoon, pilgrims take part in a procession behind the Blessed Sacrament.
Those who are ill hold a special place in this procession.
It is a highlight of prayer, adoration and blessing.
International Masses
Depending on the time of year, pilgrims can take part in large celebrations bringing together the faithful from all five continents.
The diversity of languages serves as a reminder of the universality of the Church.
The Way of the Cross
The monumental Way of the Cross, which overlooks the Sanctuary, offers an opportunity to meditate on the Passion of Christ in an exceptional natural setting.
Many groups choose to walk it together to experience this moment of contemplation.
The pools and the gesture of water
The water of Lourdes is intimately linked to the apparitions.
On 25 February 1858, the Virgin asked Bernadette:
‘Go and drink from the fountain and wash yourself there. ”
Today, pilgrims can drink the water from the spring, wash their faces in it or perform the ritual of water as suggested by the Sanctuary.
It is important to remember that the water of Lourdes is not blessed. Its value is above all spiritual: it invites everyone to perform an act of faith, trust and conversion.
Those suffering in Lourdes
Since its earliest days, Lourdes has accorded a special place to those who are suffering.
Every year, thousands of volunteers from many different countries accompany the sick on their pilgrimage.
Hospitality staff, doctors, nurses, stretcher-bearers and volunteers generously give of their time so that everyone can fully experience this spiritual journey.
This care for the most vulnerable is one of Lourdes’ greatest treasures.
The healings of Lourdes
Lourdes is often associated with healings.
Since the apparitions, several thousand unexplained healings have been reported.
Following extremely rigorous medical investigations carried out by the Bureau of Medical Findings and subsequently by the ecclesiastical authorities, only a very limited number of these have been officially recognised as miraculous.
Lourdes reminds us, however, that the greatest healing is often that of the heart: regaining hope, forgiving, regaining confidence or finding inner peace.
Family pilgrimage
Lourdes welcomes many families every year.
Children discover the sites of the apparitions through specially adapted tours.
Teenagers take part in times of reflection, prayer and fellowship.
For parents, this is often a special opportunity to live out their faith together, away from the pressures of everyday life.
Young people in Lourdes
Many dioceses organise pilgrimages specifically for young people.
Serving the sick, times of praise, vigils, testimonies and international gatherings enable many to have a profoundly moving spiritual experience.
Many people testify that they have discovered a more vibrant faith in Lourdes.
How should you prepare for your pilgrimage to Lourdes?
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your stay.
Before you set off:
- prepare a few prayer intentions;
- receive the sacrament of reconciliation if possible;
- read the account of Bernadette’s apparitions;
- pack comfortable shoes;
- take a rosary and a Bible with you.
During the pilgrimage, it is good to set aside time for silence, without trying to visit everything.
Above all, Lourdes invites you to an encounter with God.
Can we bring prayer intentions for loved ones?
Of course.
Many pilgrims arrive with a list of people for whom they wish to pray.
Parents, children, friends, colleagues, the sick or the deceased are entrusted to the Virgin Mary.
It is also possible to light a candle or have a Mass celebrated for a particular intention.
Bringing back a souvenir from Lourdes
Many pilgrims like to keep a souvenir of their visit.
Religious items are not merely tourist souvenirs: they serve as a reminder of a moment of prayer spent in the presence of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Among the most popular items are:
- Lourdes rosaries;
- medals of the Virgin;
- statues of Our Lady of Lourdes;
- candles;
- bottles for collecting water from Lourdes;
- icons and devotional images.
These items can accompany daily prayer long after returning home.
Lourdes in 2026: an invitation to hope
In a world often marked by uncertainty, divisions and anxieties, Lourdes remains a place where everyone can find silence, trust and peace.
Whether you come for a few hours, a few days or a whole week, the Sanctuary offers everyone the opportunity to experience a personal encounter with Christ, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary.
In 2026, thousands of pilgrims will once again pass through the gates of the Sanctuary, bringing with them their joys, their sufferings and their hopes.
Just as Bernadette did long ago, they will discover that Mary always leads her children to her Son.
If you have never had this experience before, perhaps now is the time to answer this call.
Lourdes does not promise a life free from trials, but it offers a place where you can lay down your burdens, find peace of heart and set out again strengthened in faith.
May Our Lady of Lourdes accompany you on your journey and obtain for you the graces you need to move forward each day with confidence and hope.
