Espace Bernadette Soubirous Nevers

There’s Mass in English on Sundays at 11:30. A beautiful experience all around, well worth seeing.

We found the residence peaceful, with some visitors coming through but nothing like the crowds at Lourdes. It’s a lovely place for pilgrimage and reflection, and being near the station makes the train trip from Paris convenient. Staying there also means you can visit the chapel early or late. The public is locked out of the main building around 8 pm, but residents receive a keypad code to come and go. The chapel is simple and well kept, with beautiful flowers beside St Bernadette’s coffin, and seeing her body was awe inspiring. Our room was clean, with a shower in the water closet. The service was very good. The woman who checked us in spoke English, gave us a Nevers map when we asked about a laundromat, and pointed one out. Breakfast came with the room and was simple but enough for us, cereal, bread and fruit. Lunch and dinner cost extra. We ate elsewhere because we wanted to explore Nevers and try local places.

To me, St Bernadette is a beautiful example of humility and of what being a saint means. Aren’t we all instruments in God’s hands, using our gifts to help others see Him more clearly? She helps me stay humble and not focus so much on myself 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

This was a solemn, blessed experience: staying in the former convent and motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers, where Saint Bernadette spent 13 years. I visited in January, off season, and there was hardly anyone around, so I had the place to myself and quiet time to reflect on her life. Residents can access the chapel even after it closes to the public. The room was simple and clean, and the grounds have a huge garden to explore at your own pace. There’s full board available, and the car park on the grounds is spacious. I’d stay here again if I return to Nevers. Best to book a room through Espace Bernadette by email.