As spring awakens the pilgrim paths across southern France, the Jacobean association À la Croisée des Chemins (At the Crossroads) invites walkers, travelers, and the Camino-curious to the official opening of its 2025 season. The pilgrim information center in Lourdes, located along the historic Way of Saint James (GR78), will host an open house on Saturday, April 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at 4 chaussée du Bourg, 65100 Lourdes.
Situated on one of the southern approaches to Santiago de Compostela, the center is a welcoming resource for pilgrims following the GR78 across the Pyrenean foothills. Recognizable by its inviting storefront and scallop shell signage, the center offers guidance, maps, and experienced voices for all who pass through Lourdes on their journey west.
A Day of Encounters and Discovery
Guests are invited to join the team for a friendly welcome coffee beginning at 9:30 a.m. Volunteers will introduce the center’s services, including current information on lodging options along the GR78, hospitality sites, recommended visits in Lourdes, and insights into life on the trail. The open house is an opportunity for both seasoned walkers and future pilgrims to exchange questions, tips, and inspiration.
At 10:30 a.m., a discovery walk (approximately 1.5 hours) will depart from the center to explore a section of the Camino through the city of Lourdes. The walk, guided by experienced volunteers, offers a gentle introduction to the local portion of the route and the landscape that shapes the pilgrim experience.
A Resource for Pilgrims and the Camino-Curious
The information center is more than a stop on the trail—it’s a space dedicated to helping others prepare for or reflect on their Camino journey. Whether you’re days from setting out or just beginning to consider the possibility, the center offers practical resources and open, non-confessional dialogue about the experience of pilgrimage.
As the association puts it:
“Our mission is to guide pilgrims, inform curious visitors, share our experiences… and much more.”
With a team of committed volunteers and hospitaliers, the Lourdes center helps keep the spirit of the Camino alive—welcoming everyone at this historic crossroads of travel, memory, and movement.
Practical Information
📍 Location: 4 chaussée du Bourg, 65100 Lourdes
📅 Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
🕤 Time: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
📞 Phone: +33 6 59 88 82 53
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 www.compostelle-lourdes.com
