Arriving by car in a pilgrimage town known the world over can quickly raise your stress levels. Suitcases to unload, narrow one-way streets and a constant flow of pedestrians always lead to the same question: where can you park in Lourdes? Rest assured, finding a space in the Marian city doesn’t have to turn into an obstacle course. You just need the right information before you arrive.
We have gathered the essentials here: the free car parks we recommend to our guests, how the paid zones work and the rules to know to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Let’s be honest: hoping for a free space right in front of the Sanctuary gates at noon on 15 August is quite a feat. Nestled at the foot of the Pyrenees, the town has a dense, compact centre, and during the pilgrimage season on-street spaces are snapped up from early morning.
There is no need to panic, though. Besides its paid spaces, Lourdes has plenty of free ones. It all depends on what you prefer: walking a few minutes to pay nothing, or parking as close as possible for a few euros.
Here are the free parking spots we recommend to our guests, listed from nearest to furthest from the Pavillon Bleu (15 rue des Pyrénées).
Good to know: as everywhere in France, regulations limit continuous parking in the same spot on the public highway to 48 hours, including in free spaces. If you are staying several days, moving your car from time to time will save you any trouble.
The information below is given as a guide only. It is based on information published by the Town of Lourdes at the time this article was written, but this article is not an official source: zones, hours and rates may change without it being updated. Before parking, check the current conditions on the official website of the Town of Lourdes (in French), directly on the parking meters or in the EasyPark app.
Lourdes has around 1,900 paid spaces, divided into two zones with different rules. Parking meters accept cash, bank cards and contactless payment. You can also pay with the EasyPark app.
There is no longer any need to display your ticket on the dashboard: checks are carried out using your registration plate. However, if you do not pay or overstay, a Forfait Post-Stationnement (FPS, the municipal parking charge) of €40 applies. It is reduced to €30 if paid at a parking meter within 48 hours.
Want to forget your car during the holidays?
The best way to avoid the stress of parking meters and traffic is to choose hyper-central accommodation. By staying in one of the Pavillon Bleu apartments, you are only a few minutes’ walk from the Sanctuaries, restaurants, and shops. Park your vehicle upon arrival and enjoy complete freedom for the rest of your stay.
Travelling with young children or elderly people, or would you rather know your car is under cover? The town runs two covered car parks.
As with on-street parking, these rates are indicative: check them on the Town of Lourdes website or at the car park reception.
If you hold a disabled parking card (European Blue Badge or the French Carte Mobilité Inclusion marked « stationnement »), you can park free of charge in all paid spaces in town, not only in reserved bays. This exemption is limited to 7 consecutive days, and the card must be clearly displayed behind the windscreen.
Lourdes also has 124 spaces reserved for disabled people. During major pilgrimages, those close to the Sanctuaries fill up quickly: it is best to arrive early.
The town provides 12 free parking spaces reserved for charging electric and hybrid vehicles. Only vehicles that are charging may park there.
Tip: to find other charging points nearby, search for “EV charging station” in Google Maps.
The best way to stop worrying about parking is not to need your car at all. Lourdes is best explored on foot: the Sanctuary, the Halles covered market, the shops and the restaurants are all just a few minutes from one another.
Staying at the Pavillon Bleu, in the heart of town, you are about a 9-minute walk from the Sanctuary and 5 minutes from place Marcadal and its shops. Park on arrival in one of the nearby free car parks, then get around on foot. To go further afield, the TLP Mobilités bus network serves the station, the airport and the surrounding area.
Once your car is safely parked, you will be free to follow our walking itinerary for exploring Lourdes and discover the Marian city without any traffic hassle.
Free yourself from parking constraints
Lourdes is best discovered by strolling through its streets! Don’t let parking logistics dictate the pace of your vacation. By choosing our apartments right in the city center, you treat yourself to the luxury of a strategic location. Leave your vehicle with peace of mind upon arrival, forget about it for a few days, and enjoy your stay in complete independence from your Pyrenean haven.
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Le Pavillon Bleu
Your haven of tranquility in the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées. An elegant alternative to traditional hotels, combining the historic charm of a building dating from 1900 with impeccable modern comfort.
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