Paris to Lourdes?
As a Marian devotee, one of my life-long dreams is a pilgrimage to Lourdes. The next one related to Lourdes is to be able to bring my Mom there someday.
But first thing’s first. My first dilemma is that Lourdes is apparently several hours from Paris by train. I tried a second point of origin, Lyon, where Alan’s other hotels are, but the results were the same. If I decided to take the train to Paris, a round trip would’ve cost us close to $400 for two. While I finally figured out a way to use my mileage to get to Paris (so that means I’m just paying $60 in tax), I had to weigh out spending this much to get us to Lourdes.
In the end, Alan and I decided to postpone for another trip when I can be in Paris longer than the current 6 days I will be there. We could’ve taken an overnight trip from Paris to Lourdes and spent the day there, returning on another evening trip by rail. That would’ve meant, however that we would be giving up two nights and a full day, and this would be on the weekend when we could go around together. Alan starts working Monday which would’ve given us only one day to spend together.
If we go as planned, we will arrive there Friday morning. Alan will stay the whole week but I will return to New York Wednesday afternoon so I’m in before 9PM. Next day, I go back to work.
We would one day want to spend a real vacation there without Alan working at all, and he is very excited to take me to Lyon. Perhaps a week and a half would be sufficient. Right now I’m still piggy-backing on his business trip, but sometime in the future, we’ll go there simply for pleasure. So we’re saving Lourdes for another trip.
You’re going to Lourdes? I would love to go there! Have a wonderful time and I hope Christ through Our Lady blesses you richly. Nice scrapbooking ideas by the way!
I spent six days in Lourdes in May ths year. I am not a ‘practising’ Catholic so was somewhat surprised I wanted to do this. I almost think a rushed one day trip is not enough anyhow> I felt I needed to get past the first day when it was all new, to sink into the daily routine a bit. Not sure if that makes sense! There were a lot of people there in early May but it was not too crowded. I have heard it gets way too hot and crowded in midsummer.
Thanks for the comments on Lourdes..
Kiwinimad06, precisely Alan’s and my sentiment regarding doing a quick stop considering the distance from Paris where we will be based, and also the significance of the pilgrimage to us as Catholics. So perhaps next time. Thanks for your input!
I brought my mom to Lourdes one time too but we took the train from Barcelona and then the TGV from there to Paris. We spent three days there. The hotels are very commercialized so pick a higher end hotel. A three star there is not what you’d expect in some bigger cities. We met some Filipinos from Manila with whom we hang out with - went for the baths (2x) with them, the procession for the sick at night, daily meals, rosary prayers, shopping. Since they have been doing the pilgrimage every other year they said, their experiences and knowledge plus their company made our visit more memorable.
Another place which I suggest to see is Chartres, in a little town named Levesville-la-Chenard.
It is where the Father Louis Chauvet, founded the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres.
Lou, it would be great to visit but as you know, there is a time constraint. Perhaps next time..
Margaret, I looked it up and that looks doable. Thanks for the suggestion. We are really planning to spend a day outside the city, but some place where we can do a day trip, and it looks like Chartres would be a good stop because it’s just an hour away by train. Have you visited? Thanks for reminding me of our alma mater’s roots there.
Hi there! I stumbled upon your blog on your visit to Paris and Lourdes. I’m planning to go there and I was wondering whether you know the best and cheapest way to get from Paris to Lourdes, and back. I believe that it is by train, but I have no idea how much and where to ride. I want to know these details before going so I can plan and budget my money.
If you can, please email me at (email provided). Thanks so much!