The wrong image

This is the image that the name of Lourdes can conjur up, and it is true that I have never seen so many souvenir shops in one place. But it would be dreadful to think that is all it is. The shops are in the town, not the shrine itself. Inside, tnere is only a discreetly placed bookshop, and places to buy candles.

I would urge anyone who visits to go to shrine and not be put off by the roads approaching it. Even having said that, I was struck by the huge array of very inexpensive items. Even those who were not well off would be able to go home with gifts for friends and family.