Lourdes is a small town of 15,300 inhabitants situated at the foot of the Pyrenees, and dominated by its castle.

Lourdes seems very much like all other little towns of the South West of France, with its picturesque market, little shops, rugby and simple parochial life.

However Lourdes differs in one aspect: 5 million visitors from 150 countries pass through its streets every year. This makes Lourdes the 2nd most important city in France in the hotel trade. It Has 270 Hotels, 13 camping sites. Each season 6 million letters and post cards are sent from Lourdes.

All of this is due to the fact that in the 19-th century a girl called Bernadette saw the virgin Mary. From the first meetings with the Virgin Mary at the Rock of Massabielle, drew with her crowds, and these crowds continue to-day in even greater numbers. During the 18 Apparitions, the Virgin Mary spoke to Bernadette, suggesting that people should come here. Lourdes thus became the most important place of pilgrimage in all of France and many people claim to have been healed here by the Virgin Mary.

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