Lourdes, France

Lourdes is a small market town that lies in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains in the south west of France.  It is on the Gave de Pau river.  As well as the grotto, spring baths, basilica, a castle stands above the town.

In 1858 Bernadette Soubirous saw 18 apparitions of Our Lady in Lourdes, and it is here that an estimated 5 million people make pilgrimages and visit each year.

The town is chocka with religious souvenir shops and cafes, so it is worth noting that the most expensive are (naturally) closest to the Basilica and shrine, and also nearest Le Cachot which is the room where young Bernadette and her family were forced to live at one time.   There is a very interesting statue factory in the town, and many pleasant little cafes with outdoor seating - most shopkeepers speak English, Spanish, Italian and German to some degree, but most are happy to keep quiet and let you practice your French!  There are also many hotels and even a McDonalds. (which I thought was at odds with the town).  There is a land train that tootles around the town, its passengers singing and waving to pedestrians as they go by.   Lourdes is a happy place that seems to bring out the best in human nature!

I can't begin to describe the scale of the underground Basilica - you need to experience an international mass for yourself - it truly is amazing.   The sound system within the Domain is excellent if you can't get down there - though they say the basilica can easily house 35,000 people.   In the evenings there is a torchlight procession, people (individuals and groups) parade through the Domain chanting, praying and singing.  Nurses from the local hospital bring patients in big blue bath chairs and there are regular services for Blessings of the Sick.   Inside the basilica there are screens hanging from the ceiling and cameras moving around so you can see everything that is going on even if you are stuck at the back - you might even see yourself, so don't forget to smile!

Reading about Lourdes and seeing photos is but a fraction of a glimpse of the place - I urge everyone to go there themselves at least once in their lifetime - you won't be sorry you went.

Les Grottes de Betharram, France

When you are vacationing in the south west of France and find yourself pondering what to do on a rainy day you won't go wrong choosing to visit these wonderful caves.  They are situated 15 km from Lourdes and 23 km from Pau.  

These grottos are vast, the photos here don't do them justice.  They boast a large variety of formations, and also they were the first caves in the world to have electric lighting installed.  However, they only switch the lights on during visits and flash photography is not encouraged as  this can cause photosynthesis which could result in the growth of lichens.  

There are, I think, 6 levels - only the top level is accessible by wheelchair - but if you are feeling really adventurous you can travel in a boat along the underground river.  

I must thank Erick for these photos - the caves are so immense, his sister kindly pushed me around in a wheelchair while Erick took charge of my camera.   

Col d'Aubisque

Col d'Aubisque is in the Pyrenees mountains with a hotel and cafe at the top.  There are wild horses (which are actually very tame and inquisitive) and cattle with bells round their necks - presumably so the herdsman can find them when the mist (or is it clouds?) comes down so rapidly, literally in minutes.  I would advise when visiting to take both sun hat and coat - the temperature dropped from 24 C to 16 C in the space of about 10 minutes, and the wind can be very sharp, while the sun is baking when it's out.

The display of bicycles are huge - taller than the average man - they are there in honor of the fact that the cyclists in the Tour de France come here as part of the route in their races.  Just below the summit is a ski resort, the drive up was pretty scary I have to say, the roadside hugs a big steep drop - my advice is don't look down!

It was worth the slow scary trek up though - not just for the views but the coffee was pretty good and there is a little souvenir shop as well, and of course the mountain air is so pure.