Salford Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage
TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION
Here you will find all the information you need to help you identify the best travel and accommodation option for your pilgrimage with us.
DOWNLOAD THE BOOKING FORM, TRAVEL GUIDE,
ASSESSMENT FORM & AFFILIATION FORM HERE :
A MESSAGE FROM FR GERARD - PILGRIMAGE DIRECTOR
'We are thrilled to share the bookings information for the 2024 Centenary Salford Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes are now officially open!
As we embark on this momentous journey to commemorate a century of pilgrimages to Lourdes, we also want to ensure as smooth and spiritually enriching experience for everyone.
We invite you to consider joining our diocesan group for this special anniversary pilgrimage. Traveling together as a family from our diocese helps foster a sense of community, support, and shared purpose and enhances the overall pilgrimage experience. This is especially important for those from our diocesan family who need special assistance in their journey.
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I pray this Centenary Pilgrimage to Lourdes will be a transformative, joyful and spiritual moment in our lives.'
Fr Gerard
Pilgrimage Director
CENTENARY YEAR TRAVEL INFORMATION
Booking information and how to book
Bookings should be made with our travel partner Joe Walsh Tours who are an agent of Northern Star Travel which is registered in England and ATOL protected (ATOL number 11313). We continue to strive to ensure the best possible travel options for our pilgrims and are confident that the pricing available for pilgrims remains competitive in the current economic circumstances.
Booking forms for those pilgrims wishing to be part of the Acceuil Section should return their completed booking form directly to the Lourdes pilgrimage office, Cathedral Centre, 3 Ford Street, Salford, M3 6DP. Follow up forms will then be issued.
Special booking forms for members of youth groups or the Under 16’s youth travelling either by air or by overland are available directly from the Youth Co-ordinators.
Once you have identified the hotel in which you'd like to stay, from the list at the bottom of this page, please download and complete the booking form at the top of this page and return to Joe Walsh Tours. You can also book over the phone with Joe Walsh Tours by contacting them directly on 0808 1890468 or by email info@joewalshtours.co.uk.
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Prices by air
In a change to previous years, prices are based on 6 nights full board accommodation with return flights from Liverpool Airport.
Prices include transfers to and from your hotel in Lourdes, airport taxes, UK government levy and local taxes.
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Prices by overland
Travel by express overland coach are available in 2024 for those members of youth groups. For more information please contact:
For school and college groups kevin.mcmahon@vol.dioceseofsalford.org.uk (Lourdes Volunteer Youth Co-ordinator).
For young people under the age of 16 Lorraine.Leonard@dioceseofsalford.org.uk (Diocesan Youth Manager).
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​Accommodation
The range of hotels offered are reviewed annually and have been chosen based on previous pilgrims' experience, cleanliness, quality of food and proximity to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. They also cover a range of budgets.
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The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
The Sanctuary is an enclosed area covering 124 acres which is home to the Blessed Grotto, basilicas, churches, rosary square, the esplanade on which processions take place daily, stations of the cross, and also a large open area next to the river, known as the prairie.
​Travel insurance
The pilgrimage recommends booking your travel insurance with Joe Walsh Tours when making your booking in order for us to assist you more easily in the event of medical issues or a person experiencing covid whilst on pilgrimage.
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Requesting special assistance
​Pilgrims requiring medical and nursing support and intending to travel as part of the Acceuil section should complete and return a medical assessment form which can be found at the top of this page.
If you require special assistance at the airport or in Lourdes including reserving a wheelchair or requesting support from a volunteer, please complete the link on the booking form or confirm arrangements to Joe Walsh Tours.
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We look forward to welcoming you to Lourdes this summer for our Centenary Year pilgrimage!​
AFFILIATION FOR THOSE TRAVELLING INDEPENDENTLY
Thank you for requesting an application form to register with the 2024 Salford Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.
It is our hope to welcome as many pilgrims as possible to Lourdes including those who wish to travel independently and arrange their own accommodation. We wish to find ways of ensuring they are included and informed of the pastoral activities organised during our time in Lourdes.
We invite each pilgrim to ‘affiliate’ to the Diocesan Pilgrimage. This affiliation provides each pilgrim with a name badge and copies of the pilgrimage booklet and programme. Naturally there is a cost associated with the administration of the pilgrimage and providing this information. Additionally, there is now a compulsory contribution required from the Diocesan pilgrimage by the Sanctuaries of Lourdes for each pilgrim taking part. This contribution is made towards the maintenance costs associated with the operation of the shrine.
These administrative costs and costs to the Sanctuaries are included within the advertised price of those who book to travel with our tour operator Joe Walsh Tours. However, if you are travelling independently and would like to register to take part in the pilgrimage it is important that you complete and return the ‘Affiliation Form’ via the button at the top of this page, along with the relevant fee for each person named.
Finally, it may be that although you are making your own travel and accommodation arrangements, you may wish to request the use of a wheelchair which is rented from the Accueil Marie St Frai. If this is the case, please contact the pilgrimage office in advance to request a wheelchair. While we will do everything possible to facilitate this request, the availability of chairs and the ability to offer volunteers to assist is not guaranteed and is subject to availability.
We sincerely hope you will join us in Lourdes this summer. If you have any further queries, please contact the pilgrimage office who would be happy to assist.
USEFUL LINKS
Below you will see our chosen hotels for our Centenary Pilgrimage 2024.
If you would like more information about a specific hotel, please click on the image of your chosen hotel to visit their website.
Hotel St Louis de France
3*
£849
Hôtel Saint Louis de France is a familiar hotel in the heart of the village of Lourdes. With a perfect location, the hotel is characterized by its imposing architecture and easy access. Many of the bedrooms have balconies overlooking the river.
Hotel Agena
3*
£879
138 comfortable and tastefully decorated bedrooms of the hotel, all equipped with flat screen TV and international channels. Air-conditioned and bedrooms mostly with walk in shower units and WC, hair dryer. Special adapted wheelchair friendly bedrooms are available on several floors.
Hotel Eliseo
4*
£939
Recently renovated. 204 sound-proofed, spacious rooms and suites with modern equipment and a private bathroom promise the best comfort for you. They have been designed to have a warm, cosy atmosphere where contemporary furniture and warm colours are in perfect harmony.
Hotel La Solitude
4*
£985
The Hôtel La Solitude has single, double, twin, triple and quadruple rooms as well as suites. Some rooms have views of the Sanctuary, the Castle, the river or the surrounding peaks.There is a small rooftop pool and sun garden. The hotel is the main base for our pilgrimage family. Our sick pilgrims stay in specially adapted rooms in this hotel.
Hotel Astoria Vatican
3*
* YOUTH GROUPS ONLY - CONTACT YOUR GROUP LEADER *
Consisting of 3 buildings arranged around an interior courtyard, this 3 star hotel has a history that makes it unique. Its proximity to the Sanctuary of Our Lady and its traditional décor immerses you in the mysteries of Lourdes.