Lourdes is close enough to Toulouse for a comfortable day trip, and the private version keeps things simple: one booking covers the entire group, about 8 hours door to door, and the sanctuary at your own pace. From $416 per group.
Overview
A private driver collects you at your hotel in Toulouse in the morning and takes you out to Lourdes for the day, roughly eight hours door to door. The vehicle is a premium air-conditioned minivan, and the driver, who speaks English, runs through the plan for the day before you set off through the southwestern French countryside.
Once in Lourdes, you get a guided walking tour of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the pilgrimage site associated with the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1858. The route takes in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Basilica of the Rosary, the underground Basilica of Saint Pius X, and the Grotto of Massabielle, where visitors collect spring water believed to have healing properties.
After the guided portion, free time is yours for lunch at your own expense, wandering the town, or browsing souvenir shops. Then it is a relaxed drive back to Toulouse. Because only your group participates, this suits travellers who want the sanctuary to themselves with their own driver and guide, and it works for most people, including those bringing children.
What's Included
Included
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Round-trip transportation to Lourdes
- Guided walking tour of the sanctuary
- Travel in premium, spacious vehicles
Not Included
- Meals & drinks (lunch)
- Gratuities for the driver/guide
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup in ToulouseYour English-speaking driver collects you at your Toulouse hotel in the morning and outlines the itinerary for the day.
- Drive to LourdesTravel through scenic southwestern France in a premium air-conditioned minivan.
- Guided sanctuary walking tourExplore the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes with your guide, taking in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Basilica of the Rosary, the underground Basilica of Saint Pius X, and the Grotto of Massabielle. Admission is free.
- Free time in LourdesEnjoy time on your own for lunch at your own expense, exploring the town, or visiting souvenir shops.
- Return drive to ToulouseRelax on the return journey, with the full tour lasting approximately 8 hours.
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points are worth knowing before booking this private day trip.
- Wear good shoes. The tour involves some walking on cobbled and sloping streets, and the listing recommends good walking shoes.
- Private group only. This is a private tour, so only your group participates. You travel with your own English-speaking driver and guide rather than joining strangers.
- Budget for lunch. Meals and drinks are not included, so plan to pay for lunch yourself during the free time in Lourdes. Gratuities for the driver and guide are also not included.
- Bring a container. Visitors collect spring water at the Grotto of Massabielle, water believed to have healing properties. If you want to take some home, bring something to carry it in.
- Travelling with children. Pushchairs are accessible and infant seats are available on request. Tell the operator the number and age of children at the time of booking so seats can be arranged.
- Confirmation timing. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Note the tour does not run on 25 December, 1 January, or 1 May.
Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, though pushchairs are fine and most travellers can participate. Pets are not allowed, and service animals are. The experience requires a minimum number of travellers; if that minimum is not met and the tour is cancelled, you are offered a different date or experience or a full refund. Lunch and gratuities are extra costs on top of the tour price, and some walking on cobbled, sloping streets is unavoidable.
Common Questions
Is pickup included?
Yes, the tour includes morning pickup from your hotel in Toulouse by your English-speaking driver. Return transportation to Toulouse is also included.
What is included in the price?
The price covers an English-speaking driver and guide, round-trip transportation to Lourdes, a guided walking tour of the sanctuary, and travel in premium, spacious vehicles. Admission to the sanctuary sites is free.
Are meals and entry fees extra?
Meals and drinks, including lunch, are at your own expense, and gratuities for the driver and guide are not included. Entry to the sanctuary itself is free, so there are no admission tickets to buy.
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts approximately 8 hours from pickup to return. That includes the drives to and from Lourdes, the guided sanctuary walk, and free time in town.
Is it suitable for children or limited mobility?
Pushchairs are accessible, infant seats are available on request, and most travellers can participate. However, the tour is not wheelchair accessible and involves walking on cobbled and sloping streets, so good walking shoes are recommended.
What is the cancellation policy?
You must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted, and cut-off times are based on local time. If the operator cancels because the minimum traveller number is not met, you get a different date or experience or a full refund.
Book Private Lourdes Sanctuary Tour
One flat per-group rate, no coach timetable, and the grotto and basilicas on your own schedule.
Check Price & Availability →
