Visit Lisieux

Since the early twentieth century, Lisieux has been famous all over the world thanks to Saint Thérèse, a young Carmelite nun who died in 1897, at the age of 24, leaving behind her a universal message. Her memoirs, entitled “Story of a Soul”, which have been translated into over 60 languages, are a testament to the love of God that guides each person along the path to saintliness. Over the years that followed, Thérèse, who was canonised in 1925, was proclaimed the patron saint of missions and second patron saint of France. In 1997, Pope John-Paul II declared Saint Thérèse a Doctor of the Church. Due to its central geographical position, Lisieux is an ideal location from which to explore Normandy and the Auge region, with its famous manor houses and gastronomic delights. Lisieux offers plentiful accommodation, in hotels or hostels for pilgrims.Since the early twentieth century, Lisieux has been famous all over the world thanks to Saint Thérèse, a young Carmelite nun who died in 1897, at the age of 24, leaving behind her a universal message. Her memoirs, entitled “Story of a Soul”, which have been translated into over 60 languages, are a testament to the love of God that guides each person along the path to saintliness. Over the years that followed, Thérèse, who was canonised in 1925, was proclaimed the patron saint of missions and second patron saint of France. In 1997, Pope John-Paul II declared Saint Thérèse a Doctor of the Church. Due to its central geographical position, Lisieux is an ideal location from which to explore Normandy and the Auge region, with its famous manor houses and gastronomic delights. Lisieux offers plentiful accommodation, in hotels or hostels for pilgrims.

Getting there

Train: Paris (Saint-Lazare station) – Lisieux: 1hr30

By car:

  • A13 in Caen direction – Pont l’Evêque exit
  • A28 – Bernay exit

Services

Restaurants: Many restaurants in the city
Accommodation:

  • 2 religious hostels
  • 14 hotels - 517 rooms (1, 2 and 3 star)

Visiting

Visiting the city:

  • Museum of art and history of Lisieux
  • Saint Germain de Livet’s castle (7 km)
  • Half-timbered houses (city centre)

Visiting the shrine:

  • Basilica dedicated to Saint Thérèse, built between 1927 and 1937
  • Carmel Chapel – Permanent exhibition
  • Shrine of Saint Thérèse
  • Saint Peter’s Cathedral (12th century), parish church of Thérèse Martin
  • Les Buissonnets, Saint Thérèse’s childhood home
  • Diorama, wax museum presenting the life of Saint Thérèse (audio-guided tour)

Literature: Documents concerning Saint Thérèse and the shrine are available in the entrance area to the shrine and in theresian places.
Guided group tours available at the Tourist Office.

Special Events

  • Holy Week (March 27-31)
  • «Joan of Arc» sound-and-light show at the Basilica, written by Saint Thérèse (May 9-10)
  • Exhibition on the Martin family (St Jacques Church) (June to October)
  • Feast of Blessed Louis and Zélie Martin (July 12-14)
  • Assumption – Procession of the “Virgin of the Smile” (August 15)
  • Feast of Saint Thérèse, Pontifical Mass and procession of relics (September 28 to October 6)

Lisieux