Is there a Catholic Traveler page? I'm going to Lourdes!

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Joan92

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Hi friends I’m traveling to France with my husband in a few days…and I’ve read a number of books including The Pilgrims Guide to France but I want to make sure I don’t miss anything. We aren’t on a tour, just a rental car and the open road! We’ve been to France before, Paris, all over Normandy, Lisieux, Mont St Michel etc, but this summer we plan to visit these following cities:

Epernay
Orleans
La Rochelle
Bordeaux
Lourdes
Montpellier
Beaune
Strasbourg

Has anyone been to any of these places and want to share a little vignette of something that I shouldn’t miss? I would be so grateful for any little stories that you could share. Also if you know any good interactive blogs or even one here on this forum where people exchange Catholic traveling stories I would love to know.

God bless you all!
 
Hi,
I just went to Lourdes last September- it is beautiful there! 🙂
My family and I stayed in Lourdes for 3 nights. Make sure to spend some time looking around at the sanctuary- there are quite a few things. If you haven’t already, I would recommend printing off a schedule of the times and places for different things, such Daily Mass, Rosary, Adoration, etc.- fr.lourdes-france.org/sites/default/files/pdf/DEPLIANT_Horaires_SAISON%202016_GB.pdf The grotto was one of my favorite places to visit.👍
Aside from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, which in itself is wonderful, I would also recommend that you tour the Chateau fort de Lourdes- it is an old castle that is fairly close to the Sanctuary- we toured it and it was nice- it also has a wonderful view of the Sanctuary.🙂 You will be able to see the castle from the Sanctuary- it is up on a hill.
One other thing that we did there is that we visited a few of the different areas that were significant in St. Bernadette’s life. We did not do the tour, though, we did it ourselves. We visited the Cachot ( the place she lived when she saw the apparitions) and her Baptismal Font.
Here is something that I like to look at:
youtube.com/watch?v=7fQL8aqVfcc
I hope you have a wonderful, memorable time on your trip- I hope to go back to Lourdes someday 👍
Please let me know if you have any questions and I will try to answer,🙂
May God bless you! 🙂

P.S. The crepes that you can find around Lourdes are also good. 😃
 
Salutations,
I was 8 months pregnant. Being a good nurse, never asked OB. MD for permission to go. Do not go to Lourdes on a Sunday. The crowd is immense. You are walking down a steep incline that is paved aND has a fence. Have those water fan, misters.
I hear those cooling blue clothes they advertise on TV. work. Wear comfortable shoes. There is a parking garage nearby. LITTLE French Guy Kept TELLING US WE COULD NOT Park WERE WE JUST parked. He moved us three times in an empty garage. Being 8 months pregnant, I told him “NO MORE.” I think he understood my language… One’s
Spiritual journey is jeopardized going on Sunday.The people were rude. Being warned can give you a calming edge.
It is all beautiful in Europe. It is so old. Be safe. Your angels are traveling with you. Jesus is everywhere you are.
in Christ’s love
Tweedlealice
 
How long will you be in France? Your itinerary is ambitious!

Note that most French people go on vacation in July and August. Summer vacation is a big deal here. As an example, 90% of my parish leaves town for at least three weeks during this period. I know some families that are away each summer for the full eight weeks. If you go anywhere near the coast, traffic could be nasty. It’s also horrifying on the motorways most Fridays and Saturdays during the summer as people travel to and from their holiday destinations. I only mention this because the area you plan to cover is huge, and I hope you will be in France long enough to enjoy it all!

Since you will be traveling between Lourdes and Strasbourg, consider a stop in Nevers, where St. Bernadette’s incorrupt body lies. The nearest major town is Bourges. I have not been there myself, but I know someone who is from Nevers and he recommends it without reservation.

Not too far from Nevers are Paray-le-Monial (St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus) and Ars (St. Jean Vianney).

Fewer than two hours (in average traffic :whistle:) south of Beaune via the A6 lies Lyon, my favorite city in France. The Notre-Dame de Fourvière basilica is worth a visit, as its interior is breathtaking. Outside, take in stunning views of the city itself. Mass is offered four times daily, either in the adjacent chapel (which predates the basilica) or in the basilica itself. Daily rosary, with a full 20-mystery recitation on the third Thursday of every month. The St. Jean Cathedral isn’t far away, though I can’t say anything about it since I’ve never set foot inside. 😊

I was in Lourdes for a few days last year; my stay included most of the day on Sunday and I didn’t find it hazardous for my spiritual journey nor was the crowd immense. However, I was not there during the high pilgrimage season (whereas you will be), so there were far fewer people present than one sees in July and August. Furthermore, I speak French and have lived in France long enough to be able to hold my own against the sometimes-peculiar behavior of the locals. Sad to say, but there are some who prey upon non-French-speaking travelers just because they’re easy targets. The vast majority of the folks I interacted with in Lourdes were patient, kind and helpful, though.

Bon voyage! 🙂
 
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