The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Lourdes, France, is a remarkable religious landmark within the famous Marian pilgrimage site. Constructed between 1866 and 1909, the basilica sits dramatically above the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, overlooking the area where Saint Bernadette reportedly experienced Marian apparitions in 1858.
The basilica is actually two churches stacked on top of each other. The lower church is dedicated to the Rosary and features stunning mosaics, while the upper church is a Neo-Gothic structure with impressive architectural details. Its striking white exterior and distinctive design make it a prominent feature of the Lourdes landscape.
Thousands of pilgrims visit this sacred site annually, drawn by its profound religious significance and the spiritual atmosphere surrounding the location where Bernadette claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary.