On 16th July, Andrea Bocelli sings to mark the final apparition of the Virgin to Bernadette
16th July: the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel marks the anniversary of the 18th and final apparition of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous. Bernadette felt the mysterious call of the Grotto, but access to Massabielle was prohibited, blocked by a fence. So instead, she went to the other side of the Gave… and saw the Virgin Mary, one last time. “It felt as if I were in front of the Grotto, at the same distance as the other times, I only saw the Virgin, I have never seen her looking so beautiful!”
Torchlight procession and concert by Andrea Bocelli
8:30 p.m.: start of the Marian Torchlight Procession, followed, at the end of the procession, by a free concert on the Basilica esplanade, with Andrea Bocelli and presented by Dançar Marketing and Colégio Vértice (BR).
Free access. For those wishing to sit during the performance, consider bringing a folding chair.
+33 (0)5 62 42 2008
(Standard rate number)
Accessibility: YES
The concert is part of a cycle of performances in Marian shrines around the world, offered free to pilgrims by Dançar Marketing and Colégio Vértice (BR).
Italian maestro Carlo Bernini will be conducting the Choir and Orchestra of Pau Pays de Béarn from the city of Pau (40 km from the Sanctuary of Lourdes) who, along with Ukrainian violinist, Anastasiya Petryshak, and French soprano, Clara Barbier Serrano, will accompany Andrea Bocelli.
Faith and music have the capacity to prevail over all adversities. It is a message of peace and solidarity that Dançar Marketing wants to convey with this concert entitled “Prayers for life”.
TO NOTE:
8th to 13th July: installation of sound, light and video scaffolds.
Sound checks will take place from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. on 14th and 15th July.
Access to the event
The Marian procession will begin at 8:30 p.m. from the Grotto of the Apparitions.
Entrance through the two main gates of the Sanctuary (Saint Joseph’s Gate and Saint Michael’s Gate). After the procession, there will be free access to the esplanade.
Traffic and parking regulations
The City of Lourdes and the Tourist Office, partners of the Sanctuary, which is responsible for organising the event, will be modifying traffic access and parking regulations.
The City of Lourdes, which is responsible for safety on public roads, will activate the retractable bollard system on Sunday 16th July from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The retractable bollards are located at Pont Saint Michel, avenue Bernadette Soubirous, avenue Monseigneur Théas (entrance and exit), avenue Monseigneur Schoepfer, Rue Sainte Marie, rue des Carriéres de Peyramale.
While the bollards are raised, parking and access by motor vehicles will be prohibited within this area.
Parking
To facilitate access to the Sanctuary, several car parks are available close to the main routes in and out of the city.
For visitors coming from Tarbes and Pau:
• Espace Robert Hossein car park, avenue Alexandre Marqui (free)
• Car park at the aquatic complex, avenue Eugéne Duviau (free)
• Coustéte car park, boulevard du Lapacca (free)
• Lapacca car park, 21 boulevard du Lapacca (free)
• Quai Saint Jean car park (paid)
• Parking Quai Boissarie (paid)
For visitors coming from Argelés-Gazost:
• Pic du Jer car park, boulevard d’Espagne (free)
• Parking de l’Egalité, Place de l’Egalité (paid)
• Parking des Pyrénées, Place des Pyrénées (free)
• Parking avenue du Paradis (paid)
• Esplanade du Paradis car park (free)
• Capdevielle car park, Place Capdevielle (free)
• Place du Champ commun Nord et Sud (paid)
