The Picine (Baths)

The Baths are situated downstream from the Grotto. The building was constructed in 1955 and upgraded in 1972 and 1980. There are 17 baths in total, 11 for women and 6 for men. Each section contains a smaller bath for children.

Each year some 400,000 pilgrims, healthy and sick, are immersed in the water of the Baths. The Baths are popular and you may have to be prepared to wait some time to actually get to the bath. However whilst outside the Rosary and prayers are usually recited and everyone is encouraged to participate.

When called to enter the Baths, the pilgrim is directed to a cubicle to undress, they are covered with a loincloth or a robe, and they enter into the bath cubicle. There they are welcomed by a team of members of the Hospitalité of Our Lady of Lourdes and members of other Pilgrimage Hospitalités who have volunteered to work in the Baths.

The ritual is always the same, one of the Hospitality members asks: "Would you now like to present your prayer intentions to Our Lady?" The pilgrim is then gradually immersed in the water. The member of Hospitality again asks: "If you wish, you might like to make the sign of the cross to recall your baptism. Would you like to kiss the statue of the Blessed Virgin?" Then come the invocations: "Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. St. Bernadette, pray for us. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you."