What Draws People to Lourdes, France

Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Lourdes is a small town located in the Pyrenees Mountains in southwestern France. It is well known for the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes, which occurred in 1858. A Marian apparition is when the Blessed Virgin Mary supposedly appears supernaturally to one or more people. The apparition is usually named for the town in which the appearances take place.

On February 11th, 1858, a local 14-year-old girl by the name of Bernadette Soubirous was collecting firewood with her sister and friend, and was trying to cross a stream in front of a grotto without getting wet. She was leaning down to take off her shoes when she heard the sound of rushing wind, but everything was still. When she stood, she saw a bright light, and then a white figure. She described it as a small young lady. This was the first reported of 18 visions she had.

During the time between the first and 18th vision, locals thought her to be insane, but later her claims were proven to be true. A spring formed only days after Bernadette dug in a muddy spot in the ground near the grotto. As requested by Our Lady Of Lourdes, a church was later built on site. Later, after Bernadette’s death, she was canonized and declared a saint. Her incorrupt body can be viewed in the Church of St. Gildard in Nevers, France.

The spring that formed in 1858 during the Marian apparition occurrences is said to have miraculous healing properties, and is what draws tourists on pilgrimage to Lourdes in present day. In the 150 years since Bernadette dug up the spring, over 67 inexplicable cured illnesses have been reported. Since the late 1850’s, people have flocked from all over the world to drink and bathe in the spring water, the majority of them being pilgrims. Until 1880, there were only two bathing pools that were filled by manual pumps. Before the priests that ran the Church and bathing house fully knew of the amount of water the sping could put out, the water of the pools was changed only twice daily. The bath houses that stand currently were built in 1955, and were upgraded in 1972 and 1980. It holds 17 separate bathing cubicles, with 11 for women and 6 for men. An estimation of 350,000 people use the tubs each year. Traditionally, visitors of the spring would draw jugs of water to take home to their loved ones who were unable to travel to Lourdes themselves, but in the summer of 2007, this was banned as part of a new anti-terrorism regulation.

I myself would love to visit Lourdes to learn more about the Marian apparitions, St. Bernadette, and perhaps even visit the Church of St. Gildard to view her body. I imagine that it would be quite humbling to be in such a place that something so miraculous took place at.

Things to Do Paris

Posted on Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Montmartre, Latin Quarter

Try a walking tour of the Montmartre district, where artists such as Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh worked. Your Local Host can suggest other intriguing walking tours of areas such as the Latin Quarter, the fashion district, or where to find the graves of Jim Morrison and Chopin in the Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Sacré-Coeur

While in Montmartre, visit the Sacré-Coeur (Sacred Heart). This pristine, white-stone church was proposed as a memorial to the soldiers killed in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, but it was not completed until the end of World War I. The church features one of the world's largest mosaics, which depicts Christ with outstretched arms, and a massive 19-ton church bell. Enjoy wonderful views of Paris from the Sacré-Coeur steps.

Musée d’Orsay

Stroll through centuries of artwork at the Musée d’Orsay, which houses an extensive collection of impressionist masterpieces by Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Cezanne. You can also admire Rodin’s statues, and do not miss the spectacular reception room.

Sainte-Chapelle

Fifteen intricately designed panels of stained glass—commissioned by Louis IX— depict 1,100 story-telling scenes.

Jardin du Luxembourg, Parc du Champ de Mars

Families may like to take a stroll in one of the famous parks and take a whirl on their charming carousels. You can also see the “pétanque” players, or sit on one of the “so typical” Parisian green chairs.

Seine Bridges

Find your favorite bridge. There are 37, and they are all different—from plain to gilded and from new to over 400 years old. The special atmosphere they create across the Seine River helps to make Paris one of the most romantic cities.

Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

In the Roaring 20s, this quirky bookstore on the Bohemian Left Bank was the meeting place for some of literature's greats—like Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Joyce to name a few. It continues to serve as a cultural magnet for struggling writers and visitors alike.

Markets

Ask your Local Host how to get to the flea market for affordable objects d’art, or visit one of the food markets. The French know how to turn food display into an art form. See rainbows of fresh fruit and vegetables, soft palettes of bread, and colossal wheels of cheese—France has over 400 varieties of cheese. And when you're ready for dessert, specialty stores abound—from tarts and pastries to crêpes and pains au chocolat. Other specialties to try include onion soup with a fresh baguette, coq au vin (a classic chicken dish), croquet monsieur, quiche Lorraine, escargot, steak-frites, and famous French wines and champagne.

Champs-Elysées, Shopping

Shop at haute couture boutiques by the Champs-Elysées. Perfumes and scarves are classic gifts, as well as French berets, lace, collection dolls, and pottery. Use your included specially arranged discounts at the famous Galeries Lafayette, or check out the Printemps department store.

Cafés

When you’re ready for a break, join the locals at one of the cafés, sip a glass of wine or a café au lait (hot milk coffee), and watch the world go by in true Parisian style.

La Tour Eiffel

Posted on Friday, July 16, 2010

The Eiffel Tower…does anyone not know that this is the icon of Paris?  Show a picture or a cute little statuette of this iconic figure and most people will say "oh yea, Paris"…So why is it called The Eiffel Tower, not the Paris tower or French Tower or what?  Because it was designed by Alexander Gustave Eiffel and credit is forever given to this French engineer, who had the foresight and audacity to design a tower, 324 meter  1063 ft ) tall and constructed of IRON…not stone, which was the favored building material of his time ( late 19^th century). Eiffel wanted to win a competition to design the centerpiece for the Paris Exposition of 1889; the centenary of the French Revolution.  Needless to say, he won, and the 9441 ton wrought iron "needle" is visible proof.

For about 4 or 5 euros you can climb the 1710 steps to the third (top) level; for a few more euros you can take the elevator to the 2^nd platform and walk to the top platform, and if it’s a very clear day (preferably September or October), you can look out over all the City of Lights… a fabulous view at night.  The rewards are spectacular! 

Now remember, you are in France so there’s bound to be some fine dinning too.  On the 2^nd platform is the Jules Verne restaurant.  Supervised by the master chef Alain Ducasse, a three course dinner will be pricey, probably about 100 euros.  There is a brasserie-style restaurant at the first platform (58 Tour Eiffel) which is, you guessed it, 58 meters (about 190 feet) above Paris; and Les Buffet de la Tour Eiffel for pizza (in Paris ??), sandwiches, etc.

Three elevators run outside on the North, West and East pillars, there’s usually two in service at any time…they are fun!  You can look out as you go up and see the fantastic iron work, the zillions of rivets and marvel that this giant Erector Set must be maintained and painted constantly!   60 to 70 tons of paint are applied every seven years…by old fashioned brush, not spray painted.  Be grateful that the entire confection wasn’t torn down and sold for scrap iron, as almost happened a few decades after the Paris Exposition closed.  There was much controversy, but it still stands, partially because the tower proved a wonderful radio tower, the first transmission having been sent in 1898…the first television transmission was in 1957.

An interesting fact:  the planners of the United States Columbian Exposition of 1893, celebrating the 400^th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America, wanted to capture the world’s attention and out-do France with something more original, more daring.  Thus was born the Chicago Ferris Wheel …the brain child of G. W. G. Ferris, a young designer of steel bridges.  Not as tall as the Parisian attraction, but unique in all the world, at that time.

At least 250 million people have visited since the day it opened! When you are in Paris, you must go!  Walk up, use the elevator…whatever.  Handicapped travelers can be accommodated up to the second platform…after that, only steps to the third.  If you go to the very top, you will be in a construction that was, at one time, the tallest man-made edifice in the world.

Voyez-toi au dessus !!!

Carcassonne, France

Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010

Located in southwestern France, Carcassonne was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.  Surrounded by nearly two miles of walls and 56 strategically placed watchtowers, this medieval castle town is still bustling with life.. First settled more than 5,500 years ago, Carcassonne was struck from the roster of official fortifications by Napoleon, but a massive restoration in the late 19th century preserved this strategic trade center and stronghold for future generations.

Pont Du Gard, France

Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Located in the beautiful region of Provence, the Pont du Gard, which means bridge over the River Gard, is part of an ancient Roman aqueduct built nearly 2,000 years ago to transport water to the Roman city of Nemausus, now called Nimes.  There is a mysterious engraving on the Pont du Gard, which appears to represent a rabbit or some type of animal.  It is a symbol Romans often etched on their constructions in the belief that it would ward off evil spirits.  The engravings and its location on the aqueduct are impossible for even some locals to find.  

Tour Director:  Giovanna Agrawal, Trafalgar Tours