The Catholic shrine at Lourdes struggled to return to its usual rhythm of prayers and pilgrimages yesterday after weekend flash floods inundated the site and caused damages of about €2 million.
Small groups of pilgrims visited the hillside grotto where the Virgin Mary was said to have appeared in 1858. Work was under way to clear away a thick carpet of mud the nearby Gave river deposited when it overflowed its banks on Saturday.
Some prayer services at the shrine have resumed, but baths in the grotto waters – which are believed to have healing powers – have been suspended until the bath halls can be cleaned of mud and their water pumps repaired.
About six million pilgrims visit the southwestern French town each year. – (Reuters)