Lourdes

[philjo]

I'm planning a trip to southern France in October.
Does anyone know if there is a left luggage facility in Lourdes ?
I am hoping to get the train from toulouse to Lourdes and spend a few hours there. Later on I would catch the direct TGV (or the sleeper) from there to Paris.
If I can't leave my luggage in Lourdes I'll probably change the schedule & leave it in Toulouse. How long do you recommend that I need in Lourdes?


I'm also looking at le Petit train Jaune - any tips for doing this line?
Probably a single trip Perpignan to toulouse (or vv) and return on the mainline via Narbonne.

 

[Eire Sprinter]

To the best of my knowledge there's no left luggage either in the station or elsewhere but it may be worth dropping the tourist office an e-mail (stayed over so didn't require left luggage). Tourism website, also in English:
http://www.lourdes-infotourisme.com/web/EN/?langRedir=1

Lourdes is readily navigable on foot but there is a local bus service:
http://www.moncitybus.com/

Some buses serve the stop just in front of the station.
Found the café at the station quite ok too.

Could I suggest a visit to the Pic du Jer funicular - on the outskirts of Lourdes - walkable but the bus also goes there:
http://www.picdujer.fr/eng/lesite.html

On the way to the funicular a dismantled line now converted to a footpath/cycleway is seen. There's a building beside where the level crossing would have been - an old halt I believe, "Soum Pic Du Jer".

As for time to allow I'd say an entire afternoon into evening.

Took the direct overnight TGV train back to Paris but if making a future visit I'd try to use the sleeper. The TGV was handy though as it was the same station in Paris (Montparnasse) for the train to Morlaix/Roscoff for the ferry home whereas I understand the sleeper goes to Paris Austerlitz.

On a slight aside Saint Bernadette was a rail user too (!) and apparently spent several hours around Bordeaux whilst awaiting her onward train when travelling from Lourdes to the convent at Nevers. The candle/torch-light procession (in Lourdes) is at 9pm. It's perfectly possible for visitors of any or no religious denomination to enjoy Lourdes and its attractions.

 

[30907]

I'm also looking at le Petit train Jaune - any tips for doing this line? Probably a single trip Perpignan to toulouse (or vv) and return on the mainline via Narbonne.

Many years ago I did this as a day circular (from Carcassonne) but more recently as day-returns from Villefranche to Mont Louis or Font Romeu, which covers the most scenic section of the line. Font Romeu has only the "four solaire" (an early solar installation) to recommend it but both VF and especially ML are worth a visit.

I would try to avoid the new(ish) Stadler railcars, though they are comfortable enough, and travel in the refurbished original "Metro des Pyrenees" stock - this may be easy enough, last I heard the Stadlers had been taken out of use though that was a while back!

Traffic is v light between ML and Latour de Carol, whereas the morning departures from VF can be pretty busy even in mid-season. This is reflected in the low-season service of 2 trains a day!

The southern section of the Toulouse-Latour line (from about Foix) is pretty spectacular too - and slightly more frequent (though watch out for bustituted journeys in true SNCF style!).

Perpignan, Narbonne and Toulouse are worth visiting, and Port-la-Nouvelle between P and N a classic photo spot.

 

[philjo]

Thank you both for your helpful suggestions.

The Lourdes tourist office has just responded to my email - they say that Café de la Gare near the front of the station provides a Left Luggage service.

 

[Eire Sprinter]

Super, glad to hear that there's a left luggage facility.

 

[4SRKT]

Surely the left luggage facility at Lourdes will be full of [permanently] left crutches, wheelchairs etc?

 

[PaxVobiscum]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one to whom that thought occurred.