Musée pyrénéen de Lourdes

Over het museum

Perched on a rocky spur, the fortress has dominated Lourdes for more than a thousand years. Residence of the counts of Bigorre in the 11th and 12th centuries and a coveted stronghold, it became a royal prison nicknamed the “Bastille of the Pyrenees” from the reign of Louis XIV onward, and a barracks in the 19th century. Listed as a historic monument in 1995, it was bought in 1894 by the town of Lourdes, which wanted to convert it into a museum.

The Musée pyrénéen was founded in 1921 by Louis and Margalide Le Bondidier, a couple from Lorraine who fell in love with the Pyrenees and became recognized Pyreneists. They assembled collections on the history and cultures of the mountains from the late 18th to the early 20th century; Louis was the curator and Margalide helped stage the rooms.

Today managed by the town of Lourdes, the museum presents reconstructed interiors (a Béarn kitchen, a Bigorre room), objects linked to agropastoralism and the wool industry, festive costumes, funeral wax objects (cires de deuil) and an important collection on the Pyreneist movement. The chapel of the castle, Notre-Dame, houses 18th-century baroque furniture from the former parish church of Lourdes. A botanical garden with sculptures and models of valley architecture completes the visit, and a documentation center is accessible by reservation.

Hoogtepunten

• Reconstructed Pyrenean interiors: Béarn kitchen and Bigorre room
• Collection on Pyreneism and the history of mountaineering in the Pyrenees
• Funeral wax objects, festive costumes and objects of pastoral life
• Notre-Dame chapel with 18th-century baroque furniture
• Botanical garden, valley models and view of the town and sanctuaries

Vaste collectie

• Musée pyrénéen : collections ethnographiques et pyrénéisme – Route through Pyrenean life in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with reconstructed interiors, costumes, funeral wax objects and collections on Pyreneism.
• Château fort et jardin botanique – Visit to the castle's defensive features and the garden, with sculptures, valley models and a panorama over Lourdes.

Opgericht

1921

Beheerder

Ville de Lourdes

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

Free admission, upon proof, for active members of the association of Friends of the Museum, ICOM members, tour guides, journalists and holders of the Pass Éducation. Payment on site by cash, credit card (except American Express), check with ID, or paper Chèques-Vacances.

Toegankelijkheid

• Deels rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

Access to the castle is by lift, but the site is not fully accessible to visitors with reduced mobility; a reduced visit is possible (esplanade, botanical garden, models and two rooms of the museum). Permanent reception staff are trained in French Sign Language. An induction neck loop is lent at the ticket desk, and an easy-read booklet and a large-print guide are available at reception. Descriptive tours and hands-on handling of models and objects are offered. A disabled parking space is near the ticket office.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
• Verschoonruimte

Bon plan famille rate, playful guided tours and the storytelling visit “P'tite visite” for ages 3 to 6 (every Wednesday during school holidays at 16:00, about 20 minutes, included in the ticket). An exploration bag is provided. Strollers only fit on part of the route; a baby carrier is recommended. A changing table is in the restrooms of the entrance hall.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

On foot, allow 10 to 15 minutes from the SNCF station and the sanctuary. Bicycle racks are on the castle forecourt. A turning area is provided for large vehicles.

Service & horeca

• Museumwinkel
• Wifi

Shop (books, children's games, regional products, posters), garden with terrace and drinking water point. Wi-Fi is among the services listed on the museum's website.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.

Je bezoek plannen