Souvenir

Best souvenir:

La Toison d’Or

Like most popular tourist destinations, Lourdes is crammed with shops selling all kinds of glitzy and amusing items; albeit here they all – appropriately – have a religious theme. But whether you decide to indulge or not, make sure you take home something you’ll actually use. Pyrenéan wool was developed in the late 1800s and is renowned for being exceptionally soft, yet tough. Buy yourself a jewel-encrusted Virgin Mary candle if you must, but light it while wearing a snuggly dressing gown or cardi from La Toison d’Or (the Golden Fleece)

Where: La Toison d’Or, 67 Boulevard de la grotte, Lourdes, tel: +33 (0)5 6294 0344

Must see

Best tourist must-see:

The Torchlight Marian Procession

A torchlight procession, complete with a replica of the Cabuchet Virgin statue, is held each night from 8.45pm and is the unmissable experience of a visit to Lourdes. Lasting one and half hours, it begins at the grotto and ends in the square in front of the Rosary Basilica, with all “pilgrims” invited to carry a lighted candle. Incredibly atmospheric, whatever your religious beliefs.

Where: The Torchlight Marian Procession, La Grotte, Lourdes, tel: +33 (0)5 6242 7878

Website: www.lourdes-france.org

Cuisine

Best local cuisine:

Le Magret

With a small but perfectly formed menu, Le Magret uses seasonal, local produce complemented by wines of the region. The service is unpretentious, as are the prices: around €13 for a prix fixe lunch and about €30 for dinner. Pyrenéan lamb is a specialty but vegetarians can be catered for on request.

Where: Le Magret, 10 rue des 4 Frères Soulas, Lourdes, tel: +33 (0)5 6294 2055

Website: www.lemagret.com

Sports

Best water sports:

Ecolorado

Lourdes might be famed for its holy water but heading just 8km south of the city will see you hitting l’eau of a different kind at Ecolorado, one of the region’s best white-water rafting centres. Whole or half-day bookings are accepted but you need to be able to swim at least 25m to participate in the activities on offer, which include hydrospeeding, hot-dogging and kayaking.

Where: Ecolorado, Les Arrailles, Agos Vidalos, tel: +33 (0)5 6297 5454

Website: www.rafting-ecolorado.com