Sanctuary & the Basilica of St Pius X

 Here we are at Lourdes. Our next stop is to visit the Sanctuary & the Basilica of St Pius X, the world's largest underground church.

The Basilica was designed by the architect Pierre Vago. The nave is oval, 191 metres (627 ft) long and 61 metres (200 ft) wide, and slopes gently upwards from the centre, where the sanctuary is situated on a raised platform. The ceiling is low, at only 10 metres (33 ft) high, and is supported by 58 pre-stressed concrete pillars which meet 29 concrete beams which cross the ceiling, giving it the impression of an upturned ship.

The Basilica of St. Pius X, known as the Underground Basilica, is a large Roman Catholic church and minor basilica, located in the town of Lourdes, France. It is part of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. Lourdes is a major Catholic pilgrimage site and the Catholic Church endorses the belief that the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Bernadette Soubirous there

 The walls are decorated with the Stations of the Cross, a depiction of the Rosary, and a depiction of the Apparitions, making a total of 52 images, all in the gemmail style of overlapping stained glass. On the Eastern ramp are the fifteen station of the Path of Burning Love. Pictures of the saints too- amazing. I wish we had more time in the church.

House of Sainte Bernadette

Basking in the hot sun, here we are all set for local day trip at Lourdes. The house of Bernadette Soubirous and her parents is a now a museum, which includes a mill, a kitchen, Bernadette's bedroom and family photographs.

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes incorporates 52 hectares of property and 22 places of worship, 

including a sacred grotto, two basilicas, and a variety of buildings for pilgrims and the sick. Outside the 

sanctuary, many pilgrims also visit the home of the young visionary,St. Bernadette. 

Bernadette Soubirous is the saint of Lourdes, France. Visionary and messenger of the Immaculate Conception, she told us the very words of the Virgin Mary, spoken in the native tongue of 

Southern France and Northern Spain.She spoke words teaching of the merits of prayer, poverty, penance, 

and church.

 Browsing the shops

 In Lourdes ( 3 days after we left, we heard there was flooding in Lourdes)

Brasserie Pizzeria

After 3 hours of coaching, we passed through 'Cathar' landscapes towards the Pyrenees Mountains in southwestern France to Lourdes, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world. We checked in hotel and headed for lunch. 

 Salad

 A taste of western/ italian food

 Pat & Callista

 Mrs Devi & Gina

 Pasta for Callista

 Chicken and Fries for Mrs Devi

 Hamburger steak with fries and egg

Crepes for Gina

We had a fantastic lunch. Now we are all set for the local tour of Lourdes. 

Breakfast Time in France

Here we are Day 7 on our France Trip. Half way through the journey. We had a good stay at Du Soleil Le Terminus. It's breakfast time at the hotel. Check out the spread I had.

 Ham and bread with crepe 

 Love the eggs, waffles and harshbrown

 Juices, yogurt and honey

All set for the Lourdes Trip

Du Soleil Le Terminus

Here we are at our Hôtel du Soleil Le Terminus  located at 2 Avenue Maréchal Joffre, 11000 Carcassonne . A lovely and cosy hotel. The hotels that Dynasty provided are simply great and they are near the town.

 Peak a view

 Taking a walk in the evening, at 7.30m, it is certainly the night is still young. We followed Henry around the vicinity as he went in search of food again. 

 Picture Postcard

 Soaking in silence

 Admiring the clouds

 Blue skies

 Having the entire place to ourselves - no sight of the local folks