Lourdes is, probably, a unique tourist destination, if not for its historical and religious assets, than for the fact that it is the only town in the world which has been able to determine skeptics to talk about the so called Lourdes effect. A town which leaves such traces in the conscience of believers and nonbelievers is definitely a place that stimulates tourist curiosity.
However, regardless of the question whether the town would have the ability to maintain its tourist reputation in the event of a possible exposure of the truth that underlies the miraculous cures, Lourdes continues to be a top choice for tourists around the world.
The historical identity of Lourdes has been marked by conflicts between different parties trying to gain dominion over the town as from the 8th century, when the local leader Mirat, subsequently named Lorus, fought with Charlemagne for supremacy. Lourdes was afterward subject to the disputes between England and France, but finally it became part of the Kingdom of France in 1607. Napoleon’s deeds have also marked the historic trajectory of the place, but until 1858 – the moment of the first apparition of Mary – it remained to be a quiet town.
Next to Paris, Lourdes has the second greatest number of hotels in France, hosting more than 200 establishments. This statistic is extremely relevant in terms of the tourist performance of the town. Citea Lourdes, Hotel & Pavillon d’Italie, Hotel Du Dauphine or Hotel Cazaux are among the most recommended and top rated hotels. The bottom line is that visitors have plenty of options in terms of accommodation.
With respect to food and drink, Lourdes can take pride in making available for tourists a wide range of specific products. Locally produced cheese, wine, or sweets are able to complement the delicious dishes one can eat at the restaurants in and cafés located in or near the town: le Magret, Brasserie de la Grotte or the Little Flower Café, for instance. The Pyrenean lamb, duck and goose dishes or trout are among the most appreciated dishes in the region.
A priority objective in Lourdes is the Basilica of the Rosary, one of the largest cathedrals built in a Romanesque style in the world. This cathedral was built to watch over the cave where Mary has made her apparitions. Lourdes Castle is a must-see for tourists who have rather historical interests. It is an objective with a strong historical background. The Pyrenean Museum is also a top attraction, and to round up the range of objectives, the house of Bernadette Soubirous, the girl who has the visions of Virgin Mary, must be mentioned. On top of that, the geographic position of the town is extremely favorable to trips to other nearby locations.
The National Pilgrimage of St. Rosary is perhaps the most popular annual event which takes place in Lourdes, and it mobilizes thousands of people in the world. The ceremony, a special mass, is officiated in the sanctuary Our Lady of the Rosary. Moreover, there are further events which take place in the town. Among these, the Day of Peace, the Lourdes Fêtes and the Holy Music Festival complement the pallet of manifestations in the town.
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