Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Lourdes
View of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, overlooked by a
statue of Our Lady of Lourdes. Photo
Br Lawrence Lew, OP. 
Side view of the "Upper Basilica." Photo
Br Lawrence Lew, OP. 
Interior of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at Lourdes.
Photo
Br Lawrence Lew, OP.
Crypt chapel in the Upper Basilica. Photo
Br Lawrence Lew, OP.Situated on top of the rock above the Grotto of Massabielle and behind the Basilica of the Rosary, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Basilique de l'Immaculée Conception) in Lourdes was constructed between 1866 and 1872. Because of its location it is also known as the Upper Basilica.
What to See
The facade of the basilica bears a circular panel with the image of Pope Pius X smiling and holding in his left hand the decree of November 13, 1907, by which the Mass of the Apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes was extended to the Universal Church.
The lower circular panel, above the entrance to the Crypt, represents Pope Pius IX who proclaimed the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854.
At the entrance on the right is a marble plaque containing the complete text of the judgement made by Mgr Laurence, recognising the Apparitions as authentic.
The sanctuary of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception holds 500 worshippers. The altar is directly over the place of Apparition.
The stained glass windows recall the story of the Blessed Virgin from the beginning to the declaration of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, in 1854, by Pope Pius IX and of the Apparitions of Lourdes in 1858.
Every hour, the Basilica's bells play the "Ave Maria of Lourdes."
| Names: | Basilique de l'Immaculée Conception; Basilica of the Immaculate Conception; Upper Basilica |
| Type of site: | Pilgrimage church and shrine |
| Faith: | Roman Catholic |
| Dates: | Begun 1866, consecrated 1872 |
| Architecture: | Neo-Gothic |
| Website: | www.lourdes-france.org |
| Location: | Lourdes, France |
| Hours: | Daily, year-round |
| Cost: | Free |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Upper Basilica at Lourdes. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Lourdes Map or get our free Google Earth download.
- Lourdes-france.org – official website
- Map of the Sanctuaries of Lourdes
- Apparitions of Mary
- Cures and Miracles
- Daily Timetable (PDF)
- Webcams
- Lourdes Office de Tourisme
- Notre-Dame de Lourdes – Catholic Encyclopedia
- Lourdes Travel - TripAdvisor
- Lourdes, France – Lonely Planet
- A Visit to Lourdes – Spirituality.org
- A Pilgrimage to Lourdes – Savvy Traveler. A non-religious account.
