Pilgrim Accommodation in Lourdes Pre-Camino

[NeeT]

Hi all, I am planning my camino for end of June/beginning of July and was hoping to fly to Lourdes for a pre-camino wander and then get the train to SJPP. I wanted to know if there was any accommodation for pilgrims in Lourdes that someone could recommend?! Thanks in advance.

 

[jirit]

Lourdes does not have pilgrim style albergues like you see on the Camino Frances.

However when we completed our Le Puy to Lourdes pilgrimage we stayed a few nights at this place which offers budget style accommodation.

Dom PMK "Bellevue”
Router de Bartres
05 62 94 91 82
pmk-lourdes@club-internet.fr
http://www.mission-catholique-polon...noc-2012&catid=46:ogoszenia&Itemid=57&lang=fr

You need to book ahead (it is above the town, about 15 mins up the hill, and away from the action, so it is quiet

The other to consider is:
Foyer Familial
Foyers Des Soeurs de la Charité
2, Avenue St Joseph
05.62.94.07.51
www.dominicaines-lourdes

It is nearby the train station - again you need to book ahead.

 

[NeeT]

Lourdes does not have pilgrim style albergues like you see on the Camino Frances.

However when we completed our Le Puy to Lourdes pilgrimage we stayed a few nights at this place which offers budget style accommodation.

Dom PMK "Bellevue”
Router de Bartres
05 62 94 91 82
pmk-lourdes@club-internet.fr
http://www.mission-catholique-polon...noc-2012&catid=46:ogoszenia&Itemid=57&lang=fr

You need to book ahead (it is above the town, about 15 mins up the hill, and away from the action, so it is quiet

The other to consider is:
Foyer Familial
Foyers Des Soeurs de la Charité
2, Avenue St Joseph
05.62.94.07.51
www.dominicaines-lourdes

It is nearby the train station - again you need to book ahead.

Perfect...just what I was looking for! Thanks for all the details. Now to decide on the exact date...The summer is fast approaching!

 

[Isca-camigo]

La Ruche on 21 Rue de Pau, dorm rooms, 15 Euros including breakfast, communal meal in the evening- Donativo. It has the very best views of Lourdes, is central and is owned by a wealthy ex business man who walked the Camino and decided to open up a Gite Pelerin. You can stay for 1 or 2 nights even if you decide to start elsewhere you just need a credential.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

There are several pilgrim gites. Check with the tourist office and they will give you a list.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Lourdes (65100)

- Accueil Jacquaire (21 a rue de Pau), (05 62 97 98 21, ou 06 24 99 01 21) (à partir de 15h30; 9 places, sur credencial; donativo)

- "Soeurs Auxiliatrices" (37 r. de Bagnères) (05 62 94 05 61) - 15 places

- "Cité Saint-Pierre" (av. Monseigneur Rodhain) (05.62.42.71.11) - 2 ch. libres pour gens de passage, et pèlerins avec crédencial.

- "Entraide Saint-Martin" (près Porte Saint-Joseph) (05.62.42.79.94) - info pèlerin; hébergement religieux.

- "Accueil international" (3 chemin de l’Arrouza) (05.62.94.34.54)

- hôtels: voir l'Office de Tourisme.

- Office de Tourisme (pl. Peyramale) (05.62.42.77.40)

hébergement des sanctuaires de Notre Dame de Lourdes (sur présentation de la crédencial) :

- "Hospitalet" (3A rte de Pau) (Marie Elisabeth Aubry, accueillante de 17h à 21h) (tél 05 62 42 79 87 - fax 05 62 42 78 46) - nuit 8 €, petit déjeuner l.60 €, repas 5.45 €.

- "Ave Maria" (accueil habituel des Hospitalités diocésaines et de l'Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes) - (7 av. Paradis, près du Vieux Pont, côté rue de la Grotte) (tél 05 62 94 24 88 - fax 05 62 94 85 61) - sur réservation - nuit 8 €, petit déjeuner l.60 €- repas 5.45 € - (prix spéciaux réservés principalement aux Hospitaliers de Notre Dame de Lourdes et aux Hospitalités diocésaines de chaque pays).

 

[NeeT]

La Ruche on 21 Rue de Pau, dorm rooms, 15 Euros including breakfast, communal meal in the evening- Donativo. It has the very best views of Lourdes, is central and is owned by a wealthy ex business man who walked the Camino and decided to open up a Gite Pelerin. You can stay for 1 or 2 nights even if you decide to start elsewhere you just need a credential.

Wonderful! I'll have a look. Do you know if it's necessary to book ahead?

Lourdes (65100)

- Accueil Jacquaire (21 a rue de Pau), (05 62 97 98 21, ou 06 24 99 01 21) (à partir de 15h30; 9 places, sur credencial; donativo)

- "Soeurs Auxiliatrices" (37 r. de Bagnères) (05 62 94 05 61) - 15 places

- "Cité Saint-Pierre" (av. Monseigneur Rodhain) (05.62.42.71.11) - 2 ch. libres pour gens de passage, et pèlerins avec crédencial.

- "Entraide Saint-Martin" (près Porte Saint-Joseph) (05.62.42.79.94) - info pèlerin; hébergement religieux.

- "Accueil international" (3 chemin de l’Arrouza) (05.62.94.34.54)

- hôtels: voir l'Office de Tourisme.

- Office de Tourisme (pl. Peyramale) (05.62.42.77.40)

hébergement des sanctuaires de Notre Dame de Lourdes (sur présentation de la crédencial) :

- "Hospitalet" (3A rte de Pau) (Marie Elisabeth Aubry, accueillante de 17h à 21h) (tél 05 62 42 79 87 - fax 05 62 42 78 46) - nuit 8 €, petit déjeuner l.60 €, repas 5.45 €.

- "Ave Maria" (accueil habituel des Hospitalités diocésaines et de l'Hospitalité Notre Dame de Lourdes) - (7 av. Paradis, près du Vieux Pont, côté rue de la Grotte) (tél 05 62 94 24 88 - fax 05 62 94 85 61) - sur réservation - nuit 8 €, petit déjeuner l.60 €- repas 5.45 € - (prix spéciaux réservés principalement aux Hospitaliers de Notre Dame de Lourdes et aux Hospitalités diocésaines de chaque pays).

Wow...thank you so much! It's like having my very own Lourdes yellow pages

 

[jirit]

The list of pilgrim style accommodation presented here is much more than I was able to find back in 2012, so there are obviously plenty more choices.

However given how busy and how many "tourist pilgrims" come to Lourdes each year ( it's in the millions and I believe more than those that come to Santiago, Spain ), I would book ahead.

I don't think there is any real "slow off season" in Lourdes too - it is always busy, bus loads of people arriving each hour.

Kind of crazy place.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Do you know if it's necessary to book ahead?

There are so many rooms in Lourdes that you can compare rates on booking.com when you get there. I was last there in a rainy May, and got rained in for a couple of days. I stayed in three different hotels as they lowered the rates to sell the rooms!! July is busier, so booking in advance is probably a good idea, particularly for pilgrim accommodations.

 

[NeeT]

How long would you all recommend there as I fly in at around 3pm and would like time to have a good wander around?

 

[jirit]

How long would you all recommend there as I fly in at around 3pm and would like time to have a good wander around?

This depends if you like line ups and crowds.

You certainly need more than the afternoon when you arrive. In July I could only imagine it will be busy, very busy with a steady stream of tour buses arriving during the day. Best to use that afternoon to settle in and plan the next day or two to take in what sights you want to see. We were three nights, the night we arrived and two extra and by then we were ready to leave. Personally I was ready to leave after the second night.

Plan and book ahead for anything you can.

Others that have been there more often might have another opinion.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

How long would you all recommend there

The Cathedral is interesting, and has lots of views, rooms, and chapels. The underground auditorium claims to be the largest in the world, and has several altars with simultaneous activities. The grotto has regular open air ceremonies. There may be lines to fill a water bottle at the dozens of taps. The evening procession can be very long. The historic church on a hill above the cathedral is worth touring. The town itself is mostly t-shirt and plastic rosary shops. A three p.m. arrival may not allow you enough time to see the good places, but adding the next morning will.

 

[nathanael]

Lourdes does not have pilgrim style albergues like you see on the Camino Frances.

However when we completed our Le Puy to Lourdes pilgrimage we stayed a few nights at this place which offers budget style accommodation.

Dom PMK "Bellevue”
Router de Bartres
05 62 94 91 82
pmk-lourdes@club-internet.fr
http://www.mission-catholique-polon...noc-2012&catid=46:ogoszenia&Itemid=57&lang=fr

You need to book ahead (it is above the town, about 15 mins up the hill, and away from the action, so it is quiet

The other to consider is:
Foyer Familial
Foyers Des Soeurs de la Charité
2, Avenue St Joseph
05.62.94.07.51
www.dominicaines-lourdes

It is nearby the train station - again you need to book ahead.

I have tried several times to email them and they do not respond.

 

[jirit]

I have tried several times to email them and they do not respond.

I just rechecked my old emails and I believe we ended up phoning them instead of emailing them. We tried to email them from Canada but we never received a reply. So we called and we were able to reserve a room

 

[nathanael]

I just rechecked my old emails and I believe we ended up phoning them instead of emailing them. We tried to email them from Canada but we never received a reply. So we called and we were able to reserve a room

Thanks appreciate it now just for assurance which albergue was it and can you provide for me the phone number.Thanks much.

 

[jirit]

Thanks appreciate it now just for assurance which albergue was it and can you provide for me the phone number.Thanks much.

Dom PMK "Bellevue”
Router de Bartres
05 62 94 91 82
pmk-lourdes@club-internet.fr
goszenia&Itemid=57&lang=fr

 

[NeeT]

Dom PMK "Bellevue”
Router de Bartres
05 62 94 91 82
pmk-lourdes@club-internet.fr
goszenia&Itemid=57&lang=fr

Thanks for that! I am still waiting for a reply and becoming a bit anxious so will try giving them a call. Will it be a problem that I don't speak French?

 

[jirit]

Thanks for that! I am still waiting for a reply and becoming a bit anxious so will try giving them a call. Will it be a problem that I don't speak French?

could be but try a bit of french and then ask for somebody that can speak english

 

[NeeT]

could be but try a bit of french and then ask for somebody that can speak english

Hm, I think I will have to find a french speaker...I've never ever learnt or studied it before so could be an issue.

 

[Anniesantiago]

We booked our hotel for Lourdes on booking.com and got a good rate.

 

[NeeT]

We booked our hotel for Lourdes on booking.com and got a good rate.

May I ask which hotel? I have also been looking into AirBnB, however am a little worried about using this option as a lone woman

 

[Anniesantiago]

May I ask which hotel? I have also been looking into AirBnB, however am a little worried about using this option as a lone woman

Née, I looked at my blog and I didn't mention the name. Let me email Joe and ask and get back to you. I'm on Camino and my notes are at home.

 

[SYates]

... I have also been looking into AirBnB, however am a little worried about using this option as a lone woman

I used AirBnB now several times when traveling without my husband, it is fine! Just look at the reviews a place gets and follow your gut instinct. Seriously, often you will barely see the owner/person that rents a place out to you. SY

 

[Anniesantiago]

There are hundreds of hotels and they're all very nice. I'd just go to booking and find one in the center of the city that looks good. There is enough to see there to stay a couple of days. Be sure to see he candlelight procession!

 

[NeeT]

I used AirBnB now several times when traveling without my husband, it is fine! Just look at the reviews a place gets and follow your gut instinct. Seriously, often you will barely see the owner/person that rents a place out to you. SY

I've used it a fair few times and never had issues; I think as I get older I let my nerves get the best of me. I should trust my instincts more

There are hundreds of hotels and they're all very nice. I'd just go to booking and find one in the center of the city that looks good. There is enough to see there to stay a couple of days. Be sure to see he candlelight procession!

Thanks Annie! I'll certainly have a look and try to book by the end of this week. I'm quite excited to begin my camino here as there has always been this curiosity! Buen Camino I look forward to following your progress x

 

[jirit]

Thanks for that! I am still waiting for a reply and becoming a bit anxious so will try giving them a call. Will it be a problem that I don't speak French?

Given all the various options and taking into consideration your concerns and preferences, I would select some place nearby the little rail station which is just north of the centre of town. The place we stayed at is further up the hill and while quiet, it might be further out than you want.

 

[nathanael]

Dom PMK "Bellevue”
Router de Bartres
05 62 94 91 82
pmk-lourdes@club-internet.fr
goszenia&Itemid=57&lang=fr

Sorry to keep bothering you but this place Bellevue in Lourdes you gave me as an option to stay read up on it and price list looks great. How central is it? I s it in Lourdes?

 

[MichaelB10398]

Sorry to keep bothering you but this place Bellevue in Lourdes you gave me as an option to stay read up on it and price list looks great. How central is it? I s it in Lourdes?

It is approximately a 30 minute walk to the Gotto from Bellevue. Nice walk for a pilgrim - about 2.5 km

 

[jirit]

Sorry to keep bothering you but this place Bellevue in Lourdes you gave me as an option to stay read up on it and price list looks great. How central is it? I s it in Lourdes?

It is in the north side of Lourdes just about a 15 min walk up the hill. I have attached a google map with the drop pin in red showing approx where it is.

The good news is they offer a free bus shuttle service into the old centre and back again a number of times per day, so it saves you walking up the hill. The old centre is lower and it is where all the attractions are ( and it is the most touristy section )

It is great place to escape the Disney world feel of the centre of Lourdes. Lourdes has a steady stream of tour buses and people ( I think they get 10 million visitors per year) and it is steady non stop tourist shops and people.

We arrived from the north ( we started in Le Puy) and basically passed our accommodation as we walked down the road to Lourdes. ( the trail actually passes by the place just west of it and enters Lourdes at the south west end of the city ). After getting settled in, we took the shuttle bus down and back again later in the afternoon in time to arrive back for dinner.

I am not if you would follow this same route back up and out again if you were walking on the Santiago for example.

 

[jirit]

Here is a link that has some more information about the place in Lourdes.

http://pmklourdes.blogspot.ca/p/otoczenie.html

It is run by Poles, so phoning them might not be a problem since I seem to remember once we were there, a number of people spoke English

 

[nathanael]

It is in the north side of Lourdes just about a 15 min walk up the hill. I have attached a google map with the drop pin in red showing approx where it is.

The good news is they offer a free bus shuttle service into the old centre and back again a number of times per day, so it saves you walking up the hill. The old centre is lower and it is where all the attractions are ( and it is the most touristy section )

It is great place to escape the Disney world feel of the centre of Lourdes. Lourdes has a steady stream of tour buses and people ( I think they get 10 million visitors per year) and it is steady non stop tourist shops and people.

We arrived from the north ( we started in Le Puy) and basically passed our accommodation as we walked down the road to Lourdes. ( the trail actually passes by the place just west of it and enters Lourdes at the south west end of the city ). After getting settled in, we took the shuttle bus down and back again later in the afternoon in time to arrive back for dinner.

I am not if you would follow this same route back up and out again if you were walking on the Santiago for example.

thank am most appreciative for directions, last time did this route was at a rather quaint family run small hotel. I am sure when I get off the train someone will give me directions. I will phone tomorrow to reserve for two days. again thanks much.

 

[nathanael]

Perfect...just what I was looking for! Thanks for all the details. Now to decide on the exact date...The summer is fast approaching!

Neet, greetings good news I phone the PM Bellevue this morning and they didn't English but lucky me they spoke Italian which I speak. They took my reservation and they asked when I would arrive and to phone them and they would pick me up at train station. Thought should share this in case others plan to stay there in the future. Thanks for your help and everyone else who help ciao, N.

 

[jirit]

It is approximately a 30 minute walk to the Gotto from Bellevue. Nice walk for a pilgrim - about 2.5 km

Thats about what I would suggest too: 30 minutes to Grotto and 15 minutes to the train station

 

[NeeT]

Neet, greetings good news I phone the PM Bellevue this morning and they didn't English but lucky me they spoke Italian which I speak. They took my reservation and they asked when I would arrive and to phone them and they would pick me up at train station. Thought should share this in case others plan to stay there in the future. Thanks for your help and everyone else who help ciao, N.

Grazie Nathanael! I'll give it a go with my best Italian...that'll be a real test