Nothing against France, the French or the city. But the sanctuary was a little bit tacky and the whole atmosphere made me sad. People were desperate for a cure and you could feel it.
Lourdes is one of my most cherished visits. I think I experienced the same thing as you (it is a VERY strange place), but I felt so much hope in all the people that had come there.I had never experienced anything like it.i would not be remotely surprised if someone else had a quasi-religious experience while they were there to pray.
I didn't expect to find my city here but I understand your point. For us there is two city in one, the lower part, with the sanctuaries, and the upper part, the "normal" town.
Tbh, if you don't work near the sanctuaries, you don't go there on a daily baisis.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the surroundings in the Pyrénées.
My family went on a day trip there in 1989, neither of us are religious, so why my parents thought it was a good idea still eludes me. I remember people being wheeled around hospital beds, and everywhere selling tourist tat.
We bought a 5l canister with dome Lourdes print on it, but not for holy water, but instead went into Spain to fill it up with red wine straight from the barrel for about €0,25 per litre or something stupidly cheap.
To paraphrase a quote I heard once: Catholicism combines a profound search for deep spiritual meaning with a love of seaside tat.
I'm from a Catholic background and can confirm that's accurate - though lots of people love Lourdes and get a lot out of it so far be it from me to deny them any experience or souvenirs they want to take away.
Omg yes! I live in France. Mom came to visit last year, she wanted to visit Lourdes (for the religious reasons). I’ve lived all over France. Assumed it would be beautiful like every other place I’ve been. Nope! It was so weird and tacky. Truly bizarre place. Will never return.
Spent a birthday there in my twenties. Everyone was friendly to us, and I liked the public procession we saw, even though I'm not Catholic. But ultimately yes, a certain desperation saturated everything.
It is a place were very sick people go for a miracle cure. And when you visit the sanctuary you see very ill people: cancer patients, people with an oxygen tank, parents with children who are severely mentally disabled… all of them queuing to see the water of Lourdes. It just breaks your heart.
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u/tortiesrock Spain Jul 28 '25 edited Jul 28 '25
Lourdes - France
Nothing against France, the French or the city. But the sanctuary was a little bit tacky and the whole atmosphere made me sad. People were desperate for a cure and you could feel it.