Grottes de Bétharram

Lourdes


Grottes de Bétharram is a network of subterranean caverns that has been carved out from the limestone, glittering with impressive formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Visits to the cave aboard a combination of minitrain and barge last around 1½ hours, but be warned: the site gets extremely busy in high summer. The site is along the D937, 14km west of Lourdes.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Lourdes attractions

1. Grotte de Massabielle

6.5 MILES

Underneath the soaring spires of the Basilique Supérieure is the fabled Grotte de Massabielle, where people queue for hours to enter and take a blessed…

3. Porte de la Crypte

6.53 MILES

Connects the Basilique Supérieure with the Chemin de Croix (Way of the Cross).

5. Porte St-Michel

6.66 MILES

This gate into the sanctuary is the first you'll reach when approaching from across the river (where you'll find the majority of lodging and dining…

6. Porte St-Joseph

6.66 MILES

By evening or early morning (when the Porte St-Michel is closed), this is the most convenient access to the sanctuary.

7. Sanctuaires Notre Dame de Lourdes

6.72 MILES

The spiritual centre of Lourdes is the subterranean grotto where Bernadette Soubirous is believed to have experienced her visions in 1858. From the Porte…

8. Château Fort

6.97 MILES

Lourdes’ imposing castle stands on a sheer hill just behind the town. There’s been a stronghold here since Roman times, but the present building combines…