Train Poitiers → Lourdes

Poitiers, when romanesque art goes with amusement park In the heart of the Poitou-Charentes region in western France, the beautiful city of Poitiers is waiting for you. It is located 100 km south from Tours and the world-famous Loire Valley's chateaux, and counts a little more than 80.000 inhabitants Learn more about Poitiers

A miraculous place to seek solace Some destinations have an allure all its own. And no where else in the world can a city claim a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary, not once – but 18 times. It is this miraculous feat that brings the city of Lourdes millions of visitors. Lourdes is nestled in a valley in the southwestern part of the Hautes-Pyrénées. Many catholics pay homage to this revered city, but you certainly do not have to be catholic to appreciate all that this mysterious city has to offer. You can get to Lourdes by train from Paris in just over 5½ hours. Get a France Rail Pass and you can spend time in Lourdes and surrounding cities. On February 11, 1858, a 14 year-old shepherd girl named Bernadette Soubirous came in contact with the Virgin Mary through a vision. The Virgin had revealed herself to Bernadette not once, but a total of 18 times in the niche of a cave. Bernadette was unaware of who the woman was until March 25, 1858, when that the Virgin said to Bernadette "I am the Immaculate Conception." It is said that Mary commanded Bernadette to "Go drink at the spring and wash there." As there was no flowing water to be found, Bernadette scraped the earth away. As she dug, a small puddle appeared before her, the puddle began to flow. The next day, a stream flowed where the puddle began and this same stream still flows today. Learn more about Lourdes