My Stay at Hôtel Le Rive Droite & Spa: Exploring Lourdes Beyond the Sanctuary
Stayed in Lourdes, Hautes-Pyrénées, France | August
My Stay at Hôtel Le Rive Droite & Spa
Image courtesy of Hôtel Le Rive Droite & Spa.
My stop in Lourdes was a short one, but staying at Hôtel Le Rive Droite & Spa made it an easy place to explore. This four-star hotel sits on Avenue Peyramale, directly beside the Gave de Pau and around 100 metres from the Sanctuary, so I was within easy walking distance of the main sights while still having the river and mountains right outside. The hotel has 31 rooms, giving it a much more intimate atmosphere than some of the larger hotels around Lourdes, and the interiors combine contemporary furnishings with warm colours and wood details.
I liked the location immediately. Lourdes can become quite busy around the Sanctuary, particularly during the day, so having a hotel slightly removed from the busiest streets was a real advantage. My room was comfortable and the hotel itself had a calm atmosphere, which was welcome after another day of travelling through the French Pyrenees. Some rooms also have balconies with views towards the river, city or mountains, which gives the property a nice connection to its surroundings.
Images courtesy of Hôtel Le Rive Droite & Spa.
One of the hotel's biggest advantages is its spa. The spa is reserved for hotel guests and can be booked privately for an hour, with space for between one and seven people. There is a sauna and jacuzzi, as well as massage treatments, making it a particularly nice addition when you're travelling through the mountains and spending a lot of time on the road.
Breakfast is also available at the hotel, with a continental buffet offering both sweet and savoury options, including pastries, pancakes, fruit, cheese and other breakfast staples. There is also a lounge bar and room service, so for a short stay you don't have to go far to find everything you need.
What stood out most to me, though, was how practical the hotel was for exploring Lourdes. The Sanctuary is only a short walk away, while the castle, historic centre and riverside are also accessible on foot. For one night, that made a huge difference because I could leave the car behind and actually experience the town rather than worrying about parking and driving between attractions.
A Little About Lourdes
Image courtesy of Wikipedia.
Lourdes is probably one of the most recognisable towns in the French Pyrenees, largely because of its importance as a Catholic pilgrimage destination. The town became internationally famous in 1858 when Bernadette Soubirous reported a series of apparitions at the Grotto of Massabielle. Since then, Lourdes has developed into one of the world's most important pilgrimage destinations, attracting visitors from around the globe.
But there is much more history here than the story of Bernadette. Lourdes has been an important settlement for centuries because of its position at the entrance to the Pyrenees. The medieval Château Fort de Lourdes overlooking the town is perhaps the clearest reminder of that earlier history.
The setting is also part of what makes Lourdes interesting. The Gave de Pau runs through the town, while the mountains rise dramatically beyond it, so even when you're walking through the busy centre there is always a sense that you're surrounded by the Pyrenees.
I found that contrast particularly interesting. Lourdes can be extremely busy around the Sanctuary, but walk a little further and you can find quieter streets, riverside paths and historic buildings that reveal another side of the town.
Visit the Château Fort de Lourdes
Image courtesy of Wikipedia.
If you have time for one attraction beyond the Sanctuary, I'd recommend the Château Fort de Lourdes.
The medieval fortress sits high above the town and has an impressive position overlooking the Gave de Pau and the surrounding valley. Today, the castle houses the Musée Pyrénéen, which focuses on the culture, traditions and history of the Pyrenees.
The museum makes the visit more than simply a walk around an old fortress. Inside, you'll find collections relating to traditional mountain life, clothing, crafts and the communities that have lived in the Pyrenees for generations.
I also enjoyed the views from the castle. Looking down over Lourdes from above gives you a much better understanding of how the town fits into the landscape, with the river running through it and the mountains stretching out beyond.
After travelling through the Pyrenees for several weeks, it was interesting to see the region from this perspective.
Allow: Around 2 hours.
Best for: History, Pyrenean culture, photography and mountain views.
Explore the Town and the Story of Bernadette
Image courtesy of Wikipedia.
After visiting the castle, I'd recommend simply walking through Lourdes and discovering some of the places connected to Bernadette Soubirous.
The Cachot, where Bernadette and her family lived for a period, is one of the more personal places to visit because it gives you an idea of the difficult circumstances in which her family lived. You can also visit the Moulin de Boly, the house where Bernadette was born.
I found this side of Lourdes interesting because it takes you away from the huge scale of the Sanctuary and back into the history of an ordinary family and the town they lived in.
The riverside is also worth exploring. The Gave de Pau gives Lourdes a natural centrepiece, and walking alongside the water is a much quieter experience than wandering around the main pilgrimage streets.
If you're only here for a short time, you don't need to follow an overly ambitious itinerary. The best approach is to combine the main sights with some time simply walking around and seeing how the different parts of Lourdes fit together.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
Image courtesy of Wikipedia.
Of course, no visit to Lourdes would be complete without seeing the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Whether you're visiting for religious reasons or simply because you're interested in the history and cultural importance of the place, the scale of the Sanctuary is impressive. The complex includes the Grotto of Massabielle, several churches and basilicas, and extensive grounds beside the river.
Because my hotel was so close, I could easily walk over and explore without having to plan around parking or transport. The atmosphere is also very different at different times of day, so if you have the opportunity, I'd recommend visiting both during the daytime and later in the evening.
Even if pilgrimage isn't the reason you're travelling, it is worth taking some time to understand why Lourdes became such an important destination and how that history continues to shape the town today.
Where I'd Have Dinner: Le Majorelle
Image courtesy of Le Majorelle.
For dinner, I'd recommend Le Majorelle, particularly if you're looking for somewhere with a little more history and atmosphere.
The restaurant is located inside the historic Grand Hôtel Moderne, which dates back to 1896. Its Art Nouveau connections give the dining room a much more interesting character than the typical restaurants around the Sanctuary, while the menu combines French and Italian influences with local ingredients.
I like restaurants that have their own story, and Le Majorelle certainly does. The building itself is part of Lourdes' history, so dinner becomes more than simply stopping somewhere to eat after sightseeing.
The restaurant is also conveniently located close to the Sanctuary, meaning it is an easy walk from Hôtel Le Rive Droite & Spa. After spending the day exploring Lourdes, I'd take my time here rather than rushing through dinner.
Best for: French and Italian cooking, historic surroundings and a more memorable dinner in Lourdes.
Lourdes Was More Than Just a Pilgrimage Stop
Although I was only in Lourdes for one night, I found that there was enough here to make the stop worthwhile. The Sanctuary is obviously the main attraction and the reason most people know the town, but the medieval castle, the story of Bernadette, the river and the surrounding Pyrenees give Lourdes considerably more depth.
Hôtel Le Rive Droite & Spa also worked particularly well for a short stay. Its location beside the Gave de Pau and close to the Sanctuary meant I could explore almost everything on foot, while the intimate atmosphere and private spa gave me somewhere comfortable to relax afterwards. The hotel's current guest reviews also consistently highlight its location, cleanliness, comfort and friendly service.
If you're travelling through the French Pyrenees, Lourdes is worth adding to the route even if you're not visiting specifically for religious reasons. Spend some time looking beyond the Sanctuary and you'll discover a historic mountain town with an interesting past, beautiful surroundings and plenty of reasons to slow down for a day.
