Discover Lourdes & Biarritz

Upon arrival in Lourdes we will be met by our local representative and transferred directly to the hotel.

Today lets explore Lourdes, a popular pilgrim site and market town located in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. This morning our guide will lead us on a tour of Lourdes which will include an introduction to the Sanctuary of Lourdes, a Catholic Marian shrine and pilgrimage site. Here we will visit several religious buildings and monuments around the grotto of Massabielle, famous for the events of the Lourdes apparitions. Among them we will find the three basilicas, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Rosary Bascilia and the Basilica of St Pius X.

In the afternoon you will have some free time to continue exploring the Sanctuary or take part in various ceremonies happening. Alternatively, you can visit the old town of Lourdes and explore the local markets.

Today, let’s take a scenic drive into the Pyrenees Mountains, a vast mountain range nestling at the foot of Spain.

We will stop in a local traditional Pyrenean village Cauterets to enjoy some free time and fresh mountain air. We will continue onto Pont D’espagne, a protected area of the Pyrenees and famous for the stone-built bridge that spans the Gave de Marcadau at the point where it meets the Gave de Gaube, near one of its sources high in the French Pyrenees. While soaking up the atmosphere we will learn about the local industry and culture along with the naturally occurring thermal springs that make this mountain range famous.

This morning we will have an opportunity to attend the international Mass, normally held in the Underground Basilica of At Pius X, it is one of the most spectacular events to attend while in Lourdes.

This evening there will be a torchlight procession known as the Marian Torchlight Procession, this iconic procession is the most popular celebration in Lourdes. Join fellow pilgrims for this spiritual walk from the Grotto of the Apparitions to the esplanade of the Rosary Basilica.

This morning we will check out of hotel in Lourdes transfer by coach to Pau before continuing onto Biarritz.

After we have departed Lourdes, we will have a short stop to explore the beautiful city of Pau at your own leisure. A heritage city full of history and art makes this dynamic town a must see. A walk along Pau’s central Boulevard des Pyrenees offers spectacular views of the French countryside along with a view of the Pyrenees mountains on clear days. The boulevard leads us directly to the castle of Chateau de Pau birthplace of King Henry IV of France.

Upon arrival in Biarritz, we will check into our hotel and have the evening at leisure in this elegant seaside town.

Join us today for a full day tour of the picturesque Basque region. We will start our morning with a guided tour of elegant Biarritz. Here we will take in the beachfront promenade and admire the well-known Rocher de la Vierge, from here we can admire the entire bay of Biarritz with the Grande Plage on one side and the beautiful Basque coast on the other side.

Afterwards we will board our coach and head to Saint-Jean-de-Luz to discover this beautiful fishing town located close to the Spanish boarder. Famous for the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church, where King Louis XIV married Marie-Thérèse of Spain. As we begin our leisurely stroll around this town we will notice the diverse range of architecture on show with typical Basque – style houses with their painted timber framing.

Take a stroll down the pedestrian street, Rue Gambetta to enjoy some shopping or take advantage of the one of the terraces available on Louis XIV square to relax and enjoy some traditional gateaux basque.

In the afternoon we explore San Sebastian in Spain where we can experience the Basque culture from the Spanish side. Nestled along the picturesque Bay of Biscay, San Sebastian stands as an elegant coastal gem, with two distinct beaches, Playa de la Concha and Playa de Zurriola. We will discover more as we wander through the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old Town, where centuries-old buildings house a labyrinth of pintxos bars, traditional shops, and vibrant plaza.

Today we will have a free day at leisure to explore the Basque town of Biarritz. Why not take a stroll along the beachfront promenade or enjoy a coffee while enjoying the views across La Grande Plage – Biarritz’s most famous beach along the Bay of Biscay. At the end of the day, have a drink on the top of La Cote des Basques and watch the gorgeous villa Belza and the sun going down behind the surfers.  

This morning we will check out of our hotel and have the morning at leisure before our guided transfer to the airport for our return flight home.