In February 1858, Bernadette Soubirous -a young girl of modest means- was walking along the river bank looking for wood. She noticed a light in Massabielle cave, then a "beautiful lady" invited her to pray. This was the first of 18 appearances that Mary made to Bernadette.

After a 4-year investigation, the Roman Catholic church officially recognised the appearances and the worship of Mary spread rapidly.

Every year, over 5 million visitors flock to Lourdes, including 70,000 ill or handicapped people hoping to be healed through the spring in the cave. Since 1853, of over 3,000 extraordinary healings, only 65 have been considered miraculous.

Visiting pilgrims have turned Lourdes into the most visited town in the Pyrenees and France's second-ranking hotel town. There is also a thriving industrial sector: electrical household goods, a canning industry and numerous companies making religious articles.