Chateau Fort of Lourdes
Chateau Fort of Lourdes
4.5
CastlesArt MuseumsHistory Museums
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
About
This tour invites you to discover the massive defense system of the fortress, temporary exhibitions, the mountain life traditions, the impressive views over the city and the valleys. You can also rest for a moment in the botanical garden.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,016 reviews
Excellent
487
Very good
407
Average
93
Poor
20
Terrible
9

Deborah B
52 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
Great castle with the best views of Lourdes and the Pyrenees. It's worth the climb. Beware that they do not allow entrance 30 minutes before reaching their closing time for lunch (do not go by their website) .
Written October 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
On our website, it is mentioned that the Château fort - Musée Pyrénées is open until 7 p.m until october 14 and until 6 from october 15 and that the ticket office stops 1 hour before the site closes. We recommend an average visit of a one and a half hour because this is generally the time that visitors stay on site, then depending on the interest we have in the museum, the time can be much longer, but we cannot know in advance. The site being large, we are starting to close the rooms by following the numbers in order to warn visitors of the early closure at 5:30 p.m in low season and 6.30 in high season of the Rampe des Anglais circuit and pyrenean cemetery.
Written January 5, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

BradJill
Hong Kong, China159,772 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023
Chateau Fort of Lourdes is a historical castle and National Monument of France located on the hillside overlooking the surrounding valley and city of Lourdes. You can visit the castle and Pyrenean Museum which is located within its grounds from 10am to 1pm (morning) and 2pm to 7pm (afternoon). Entry is €7.50 per adult.

Historically, the castle grounds have been in use since Roman Times. Fortifications here were besieged by Charlemagne in 778 while foundations of the structure that you can see today date back to the early Middle Ages. Castle fortifications built up over the centuries to provide strategic military and defensive capabilities over the region. Under the reign of Louis XIV, it became a prison and by the end of the 19th century it was sold to the community of Lourdes. In 1921, the Chateau Fort began to host a Pyreneen Museum in attempt to preserve regional culture and customs in addition to the castle itself.

As part of your visit, you are given a map of the castle grounds as well as a suggested walking route which takes you through numerous centuries old chamber rooms, keep, towers, drawbridge, chapel, elevated viewpoints and open courtyard garden. Many of the rooms serve as exhibitions relating to different aspects of regional Pyreneen history such as furniture, kitchen, farming and hunting, dress attire, sports, regional marble material while others relate more to the ancient history of the castle itself. There is a nice botanical garden area as well as miniature model buildings of mountain village scenes from around the Pyrenees Mountains.

Overall, it is an interesting castle visit to make. You can explore leisurely in 45-60 minutes depending on how much time you spend in each room and enjoying the views of the community of Lourdes and surrounding area around the castle grounds.
Written April 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your very enthusiastic feedback and your valuable information for future visitors. You are our best ambassador.
Written May 21, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

publiussulla
Seattle, WA273 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
You can see this place when you are driving into Lourdes and it looks impressive. First off be aware that this place closes for lunch from 12 to 2 and you won't be able to get in during that time. We read this on another review and it was very helpful. After visiting the sanctuary in Lourdes we walked up the hill towards the old town and up the hill further we came upon the chateau. If you like castles this is a must place to visit! The entry fee is not that much and the elevator takes you up the beginning of the tour. Friendly and helpful staff answered our questions and the tour was informative and the views are breathtaking from the top. We spent about 90 minutes here taking the castle in and then had lunch at a cafe (see sep review of Le Navarre) down the hill. Two big thumbs up here for visiting this place!
Written April 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your very encouraging opinion as well as your valuable advice for future visitors.
Written May 21, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Martin
London, UK24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
A gem of a museum. Spectacular views of the town and the Pyrénées as well as fascinating exhibits of mountain life and traditions.
Written March 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your your feedback very encouraging. You particularly appreciated the breathtaking views of the town and the Pyrenees.
Written March 7, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

AnneliH
Bedford, UK111 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Friends
Great walk through old town up to Chateau Fort but watch the ticket times 10-12 and 2-4. Museum was well laid out with great explanations
Written October 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your five stars. For information, the castle and its pyrenean museum are open from 10 to 12 and from 2 to 6. Last admission 1h before closing.
Written October 27, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

explore_with_may
Philippines911 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
1000-year-old fortress which has never been conquered and is home to the Musee Pyrneneen. The exhibits are interesting, but what really impressed me were the views from the fort -- you especially get a great view of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes from here. Entrance fee is EUR 7.50. I suggest taking the elevator to go up and then walk down (its a bit steep).
Written June 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your 5 stars and your very positive feedback. You greatly appreciated the views on the Pyrenees and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. You recommand to take the elevator to go up and then walk down : good advice, it's the one we give to our visitors !
Written June 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sofia T
Houston, TX15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
My daughters and I enjoyed exploring this castle. There are some great views of Lourdes from the top. Most of the written information is in French so we used Google Translator on our phone to read about the history.
Written June 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your 5 stars and your very positive feedback. You greatly appreciated the panoramic view of the Sanctuary, the city of Lourdes and the Pyrenees. Indeed, in the rooms most of the written information is in French but at the entrance to the site, we give you a leaflet in several languages : French, English, Spanish, Polish, Dutch, German, Portuguese, Slovenian and Croatian.
Written June 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Danny A
Châteauponsac, Limousin, France41 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021
It was well organised with all covid protocols in place, which unfortunately included the closing of the lift so if you are disabled or infirm or even unfit it's quite a slope and stair climb up to the start of the tour but well worth it with an interesting regional museum type tour with superb views of the town and it's surrounding regions.
Written September 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your very positive comment. The lifts were out of order but now it's fixed. You appreciated the museum and the views of the town and surroundings which are amazing !
Written October 7, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Michael S
New York City, NY4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020
Lourdes is said to be the place where heaven touches the earth. Whilst the Sanctuary for Christian pilgrims represents heaven, this medieval castle symbolizes the earth

walking in its botanical garden, dwelling in the intimate museum of the Pyrenees, or visiting the Notre Dame du Chateau (where the original tabernacle of St. Bernadette's Church can be admired and the original cross of Jesus and the statues of St. Peter and Paul) is just a celebration for the eyes as they notice stunning views on the beautiful town of Lourdes, the churches & cathedrals, the Sanctuary along the river Gave, and the majestic snow-covered mountains

the local staff doesn't speak much English (hey this is no Chicago), but quite friendly and fairly customer-oriented (not money minded at all), and the General Manager who I believe has a background in the history of fine arts often organizes sublime exhibitions on Lourdes and the Pyrenees

for master Rodin aficionados, there is a sanguine drawing from the sculpture August Rodin tucked in the exhibition room right from the majestic tower. Enjoy your visit in this must see historical monument on your journey toward eternity!
Written January 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your very positive comment.
Written February 13, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

AlbertSalichs
Manresa, Spain11,524 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Family
Chateau Fort is the main castle located. in the well known city in the South of France called Lourdes. The castle is a very beautiful building, which you can see from some parts of the town. If you enter, you can visit some rooms and learn about the history of the castle, see very nice views of the town and the important churches and walk in free air, where you can see some models of buildings. Very nice, for me, the best visit in the city. Pitifully, we visit it in a rainy day. Also, my 4 years old daughter enjoyed a lot seeing the rooms, where the princess lived.. :-)
Written October 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your very positive opinion about your visit ! You are our best ambassador !
Written October 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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