Lourdes is a market town located in southern France, in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. A popular pilgrimage site, Lourdes is one of the leading destinations for religious tourism in the world. Thanks to its location, Lourdes offers incredible views of the Pyrenees mountains as well as the vast green spaces and bodies of water around the foothills. As the region experiences an oceanic climate, Summers tend to be mild to warm while Winters can be cooler.

One of Lourdes’ most iconic and well-known landmarks is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, where it is said that the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. Visitors can now go on a guided tour of the site and see the incredible architecture and structures it holds. There are also a number of museums throughout Lourdes perfect for learning about the history of the region. Lourdes is a great place to get out and enjoy nature too, as it is home to many beautiful natural areas and animal parks. Not only that, there are plenty of facilities for outdoor sports and leisure activities available too, like bike trails, swimming baths, spas and Winter sports resorts.

Lourdes is the ideal destination for religious travellers as you can learn about the history of this spiritual location while being able to interact with it yourself through activities like taking some of the healing water on offer. Not only that, Lourdes is a unique and entertaining destination for a family holiday. There are plenty of activities on offer that’s sure to keep the whole family entertained, from trips to museums and petting zoos to rafting and kayaking.

Ryanair offer flights from Dublin to Lourdes twice a week with an estimated flight time of 2 hours and 5 minutes. Abbey Travel can organise your holiday to Lourdes with flights, accommodation and expert advice all included.