ACCUEIL SAINT-FRAI

The St Frai lies in the heart of Lourdes and is surrounded by many of the hotels used by the Catholic Association Pilgrimage. It was in regular use with the Pilgrimage for many years but is now no longer used in favour of the Accueil Notre Dame.

Mademoiselle de Saint-Frai and Father Ribes, the founders of the Daughters of Our Lady of Dolours are credited with laying the foundation stone in 1874 of a "hospice" near the Sanctuary based on the model of the General Hospitals of the time.

The purpose of this building was to accommodate the elderly and the needy sick of pilgrimages.

In 1878 300 sick pilgrims of the National Pilgrimage were the first to be accommodated in the Accueil.

The rebuilding works were begun in November 1996 and completed in March 1998 in order to accommodate the first pilgrims in April 1998. The rebuilt Accueil St Frai has a total floor area of 15,000 sq m (161,450 sq ft). It provides 120 rooms and some 400 beds for the sick.