Lourdes

After breakfast, we shall visit The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, is a Catholic Marian shrine and pilgrimage site dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes in the town of Lourdes, Hautes-Pyrénées, France. Visit to the Sanctuary, offering a unique moment for spiritual reflection and renewal, and at 10:00am attend the world-famous international mass in the underground sanctuary. *Visit to the Sanctuary is on foot and involves long walking distance.*
The sanctuary includes several religious buildings and monuments around the grotto of Massabielle, the place where the events of the Lourdes apparitions occurred in 1858, among them are three basilicas, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Rosary Basilica and the Basilica of St. Pius X, respectively known as the upper, lower and underground basilica.

Pont d’Espagne is a stone-built bridge that spans the Gave de Marcadau at the point where it meets the Gave de Gaube, near one of its sources high in the French Pyrenees. It is a protected area of the Pyrénées in the Pyrénées National Park.

The Pont d’Espagne is at an altitude of approx 1500m. The name translates as Spanish Bridge. The bridge used to join Spain and France through the mountains.

The tour also includes a visit to the charming village of St. Savin, where you can admire its historic abbey and tranquil surroundings. A perfect day to connect with nature and history!
Return to the hotel for dinner. After which at 9 pm accompanied by the spiritual director and tour manager you will be able to attend and participate in the candlelight Marian procession.

After breakfast, we will proceed to Bartres, the village famous for its association with St. Bernadette Soubirous. St. Bernadette was sent there in her infancy to a wet nurse, and again in her early teens to work for the same lady as a shepherdess. Today, the village is visited by numerous pilgrims who come to pray at the village church and venerate a relic of the saint. Just 3 km from the town centre heading towards Pau, the glacial lake of Lourdes is an amazing place to relax and enjoy a walk. In the afternoon, we will set off to the Meridien Shopping Arcade. Explore its variety of shops, perfect for finding unique souvenirs or simply relaxing with a coffee as you soak in the lively atmosphere. A delightful mix of spirituality, nature, and shopping! In the afternoon we will head back to our accommodation, and you can enjoy the evening as you please. Evening back to hotel for dinner.

Dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast we set off to Gavarnie which is a former commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department, Southwestern France. On 1 January 2016, it was merged into the new commune of Gavarnie-Gèdre. Gavarnie is known for the Cirque de Gavarnie, and the Gavarnie Falls in it, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Pyrénées – Mont Perdu.

The Prime Meridian passes through Gavarnie, including at its southernmost point in France – the commune touches Aragon, Spain.

Free afternoon followed by departure to the airport after an early dinner. Flight is at 22.45 hrs FR 9245.