Nestled in the rolling hills of the Pays d'Auge in Normandy, Lisieux has become synonymous with one of the most beloved saints of modern times: Thérèse Martin, known to the world as St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the "Little Flower." This small Norman town, with its half-timbered houses and medieval cathedral, draws nearly two million visitors annually—pilgrims and curious travelers alike—who come to walk in the footsteps of a young woman whose "Little Way" of spiritual childhood has touched countless souls around the globe. The pilgrimage experience in Lisieux is intimate and deeply personal. Here you can visit the family home where Thérèse grew from a sensitive child into a determined young woman, kneel in the chapel where her mortal remains rest, and stand in awe before the magnificent basilica built in her honor—the largest church constructed in France during the twentieth century. A blue line painted on the streets guides pilgrims through the town, connecting the sites that marked Thérèse's short but extraordinary life. Whether you are a devoted follower of the Little Flower or simply curious about this remarkable young woman who was declared a Doctor of the Church, Lisieux offers an encounter with a spirituality that is at once profound and accessible.
📜 History & Spiritual Significance
The story of Lisieux as a pilgrimage destination begins not in the town itself, but in Alençon, where Marie-Françoise-Thérèse Martin was born on January 2, 1873, the ninth and last child of Louis and Zélie Martin. When Thérèse was just four years old, her mother died of breast cancer, and Louis Martin moved his family to Lisieux to be near relatives who could help raise his daughters. The family settled in a comfortable bourgeois house called Les Buissonnets—"the little bushes"—situated on a lane poetically named Chemin du Paradis, the "Path of Paradise." From her earliest years, Thérèse felt drawn to religious life. She watched as three of her older sisters entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux, and her longing to follow them intensified. At just fifteen years old, she made a bold pilgrimage to Rome to petition Pope Leo XIII directly for permission to enter the Carmel at such a young age. "Most Holy Father," she said, "in honor of your Jubilee, permit me to enter Carmel at the age of fifteen!" Though the Pope deferred to her superiors, Thérèse's determination prevailed, and on April 9, 1888, she entered the Carmelite monastery of Lisieux. Within those walls, Thérèse developed her "Little Way"—a path to holiness through small acts of love and complete trust in God's mercy. "I will seek out a means of getting to Heaven by a little way, very short and very straight, a completely new little way," she wrote. Rather than seeking extraordinary penances or mystical experiences, she embraced the ordinary moments of community life as opportunities for love. Stricken with tuberculosis, Thérèse died on September 30, 1897, at just twenty-four years of age. Her final words were simple yet profound: "My God, I love You!" Before her death, she had completed her autobiography, L'Histoire d'une Âme (The Story of a Soul), at the request of her sisters. Published the following year, the book spread throughout the world with astonishing speed, touching hearts across every continent and culture. The Church recognized Thérèse's holiness with remarkable swiftness. She was beatified in 1923 and canonized by Pope Pius XI on May 17, 1925. Pope Pius XI called her "the greatest saint of modern times," and Pope Pius X had declared her "the Star of my pontificate." In 1997, Pope John Paul II proclaimed her a Doctor of the Church—at that time, she was only the third woman and the youngest person to receive this honor. In 2008, the Church added another dimension to the Lisieux pilgrimage when Louis and Zélie Martin were beatified together—the first married couple to be beatified as a couple in the same ceremony. Their canonization followed in 2015, making them the first spouses to be canonized together in the history of the Church. Their relics now rest alongside their daughter's, drawing pilgrims who seek inspiration for family life and marriage.
☩ Pilgrimage Sites in Lisieux
The pilgrimage sites of Lisieux are connected by a walking trail marked with a blue line on the pavement—the "Sur les pas de Sainte Thérèse" (In the Footsteps of Saint Thérèse) route. The journey takes pilgrims through the town, from the magnificent hilltop basilica to the intimate family home, weaving together the story of Thérèse's life in Normandy.
Basilique Sainte-Thérèse de Lisieux
Basilique Sainte-Thérèse
Following Thérèse's canonization in 1925, Pope Pius XI strongly desired a grand sanctuary in her honor. Construction began in 1929 under architect Louis-Marie Cordonnier, who designed the structure in Romano-Byzantine style inspired by the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur in Paris. The basilica was blessed on July 11, 1937, by the papal legate Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli—the future Pope Pius XII. Despite interruptions during the Second World War, when townspeople and even Thérèse's surviving sisters sheltered in its crypt, the building was consecrated in 1954. With a capacity of 4,000 worshippers and a dome rising 50 meters high, it is the largest church built in France during the twentieth century. The interior is a feast for the eyes, with stunning mosaics covering the walls and depicting scenes from Thérèse's life and spirituality. The crypt, completed in 1932, is entirely decorated with marble and mosaics in Art Deco style, and houses the reliquary of Saints Louis and Zélie Martin. The basilica contains eighteen minor altars, each offered by a different nation—testimony to the worldwide devotion to the Little Flower. Belgium and the Netherlands donated the carillon of fifty-one bells, which gives concerts twice daily. Pope John Paul II made a pilgrimage here on June 2, 1980.
Address Avenue Jean XXIII, 14100 Lisieux, France GPS 49.139582, 0.236370
Carmel de Lisieux
Carmelite Monastery
This is the actual monastery where Thérèse lived as a Carmelite nun from 1888 until her death in 1897. Though the enclosed monastery cannot be visited—Carmelite sisters continue their life of prayer within—pilgrims can enter the chapel to venerate the shrine of Saint Thérèse, which contains her relics. The "Memorial" exhibition in the chapel courtyard presents Thérèse's life, spirituality, and worldwide influence through displays of personal objects and informative panels. This is the sacred ground where Thérèse lived out her "Little Way" in hidden obscurity, where she wrote The Story of a Soul, and where she made her famous promise: "I want to spend my Heaven doing good on earth." Standing in the chapel where her remains rest, pilgrims can entrust their intentions to the saint who promised to let fall a "shower of roses" from heaven.
Address 37 Rue du Carmel, 14100 Lisieux, France GPS 49.142900, 0.227600
Les Buissonnets
The Little Bushes — Martin Family Home
This bourgeois residence became the Martin family home in November 1877, shortly after Zélie Martin's death. Thérèse spent eleven years here—from age four until she entered the Carmel at fifteen. The house became a place of pilgrimage as early as 1911. Since 1931, it has been cared for by the Oblates of Sainte-Thérèse, who welcome visitors daily. The rooms are preserved much as they were during Thérèse's time, including her light-blue bedroom overlooking the rose garden. Les Buissonnets allows pilgrims to experience the "domestic church" where Thérèse's holiness was nurtured. Here occurred the pivotal "Christmas grace" of 1886, when Thérèse experienced a profound conversion that freed her from childhood sensitivity and launched her toward Carmel. Visitors can see the dining room where Thérèse celebrated her First Communion meal, and imagine the garden where she made her momentous request to her father to enter religious life.
Address Chemin des Buissonnets, 14100 Lisieux, France GPS 49.150788, 0.229212
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Lisieux
Cathedral of St. Peter
This Gothic cathedral, built in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, is the oldest church in Lisieux, predating Thérèse by more than six hundred years. It served as the parish church of the Martin family during their years in Lisieux. The cathedral also holds the tomb of Bishop Pierre Cauchon, the prelate infamous for presiding over the trial of Joan of Arc. For more than ten years, Thérèse came here every Sunday and often during the week with her father and sisters for Mass. A marble plaque in the southern ambulatory marks the spot where young Thérèse participated in the Sunday High Mass. Walking through this medieval space, pilgrims can imagine the Martin family at prayer—the parents now canonized as saints, and their youngest daughter destined to become a Doctor of the Church.
Address Place François Mitterrand, 14100 Lisieux, France GPS 49.146000, 0.227000
Diorama Sainte-Thérèse
Wax Museum of St. Thérèse
This wax museum presents eleven scenes from Thérèse's life using lifelike figures and period settings. From her childhood in Alençon through her death at the Carmel, the diorama brings the saint's story to vivid life for visitors of all ages. The diorama offers an accessible introduction to Thérèse's life story, helping pilgrims—especially families with children—understand the major events that shaped this beloved saint. A 25-minute self-guided tour allows visitors to follow Thérèse's journey at their own pace.
Address Avenue Jean XXIII, 14100 Lisieux, France GPS 49.139822, 0.235962
🕯️ Annual Feast Days & Celebrations
Feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux — October 1
Basilica and Carmel of Lisieux. The principal celebration of Lisieux's patroness draws thousands of pilgrims for solemn Masses, processions with relics, and the veneration of the shrine. The basilica is filled with the faithful who come from around the world to honor the Little Flower on her feast day.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary — August 15
Basilica Sainte-Thérèse. One of the largest celebrations of the year, with special Masses and processions honoring Our Lady. The basilica's expansive interior accommodates the many pilgrims who gather for this great Marian feast.
🛏️ Where to Stay
L'Ermitage Sainte-Therese (pilgrim accommodation) — The principal pilgrim house of the sanctuary, located next to the Carmel. This Anglo-Norman style residence built in 1929 accommodates 192 pilgrims in 92 rooms. Run by the Sisters Servants of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, it offers full catering services, meeting rooms, an oratory, and the Notre-Dame du Sourire chapel. Website
Foyer Louis et Zelie Martin (pilgrim accommodation) — Named after Therese's saintly parents, this reception house near the Basilica accommodates up to 107 people in 50 rooms. Ideal for groups and retreats, it features private parking, a chapel, and meeting rooms. Website
ibis Styles Lisieux Normandie ⭐⭐⭐ — Modern hotel just five minutes from the Basilica, offering 3-star comfort with an outdoor pool, fitness center, and restaurant serving local Pays d'Auge cuisine. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel
Kyriad Lisieux ⭐⭐⭐ — Well-rated hotel offering comfortable accommodations with easy access to the pilgrimage sites and town center. Website
🚗 Getting There
By Air: The nearest major airport is Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG), approximately 200 km away. Caen-Carpiquet Airport is closer at about 60 km. From either airport, rental cars are available or you can take a train connection.
By Train: Lisieux has a direct rail connection from Paris Saint-Lazare, with the journey taking approximately 2 hours. Trains run regularly throughout the day. From the Gare de Lisieux, the pilgrimage sites are accessible on foot or by local bus.
By Car: From Paris, take the A13 motorway toward Caen and exit at Pont-l'Évêque, then follow the D579 to Lisieux (about 2 hours). From Caen, take the N13 eastward (about 45 minutes). Free parking is available near the Basilica.
Local Transport: The main pilgrimage sites are within walking distance of each other—the "In the Footsteps of Saint Thérèse" trail, marked by a blue line on the pavement, connects all major sites. The Basilica is situated on a hill about 1.5 km from the town center, an easy walk or short taxi ride.
📚 Further Reading
Books:
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, trans. John Clarke, OCD (Amazon) – The essential text, Thérèse's own account of her life and spiritual journey in the definitive English translation from the original manuscripts.
Guy Gaucher, The Passion of Thérèse of Lisieux (Amazon) – A moving account of Thérèse's final months by one of the foremost Theresian scholars.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Her Last Conversations (Amazon) – The words of the dying saint recorded by her sisters, offering an intimate glimpse into her final witness.
Jean C.J. d'Elbée, I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Amazon) – A classic retreat guide drawing on Thérèse's spirituality.
Articles & Online Resources:
Society of the Little Flower – Comprehensive resource on St. Thérèse's life, writings, and legacy.
Sanctuary of Lisieux Official Website – Official pilgrimage information, schedules, and spiritual resources.
Archives of the Carmel of Lisieux – Historical documents and photographs from the Carmelite archives.
🎥 Recommended Videos
The Secret of Saint Thérèse by Rome Reports – Award-winning documentary featuring rare footage inside the Lisieux Carmel and testimonials from people worldwide whose lives were changed by Thérèse.
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus: An Echo of the Heart of God – Definitive documentary made for the 1997 centenary, filmed on location in Alençon, Lisieux, and the Carmel.
Thérèse of Lisieux, A Giant Race – Film screened daily at the Espace Saint-Jean-Paul II opposite the Basilica, available in French with English and other language subtitles.
Pilgrimage Visit to St. Thérèse and Her Family by Susan Ehlert – Nine-minute virtual tour of the Carmelite monastery, Les Buissonnets, and other Theresian sites.
🔗 Useful Links
Sanctuary of Sainte-Thérèse de Lisieux – Official sanctuary website with pilgrimage planning, schedules, and spiritual resources
Carmel of Lisieux – Information about the monastery, chapel hours, and accommodations
Lisieux Tourism Office – General visitor information for the town and region
Normandy Tourism – Regional travel resources for exploring the Pays d'Auge
Relic Journeys Schedule – Current schedule of St. Thérèse's relics traveling worldwide
🧭 Nearby Pilgrimage Destinations
Alençon (100 km) — Birthplace of St. Thérèse, where Louis and Zélie Martin lived and where the future saint was baptized.
Mont-Saint-Michel (160 km) — The iconic medieval abbey rising from the sea, one of Christianity's most spectacular pilgrimage sites.
Chartres (180 km) — Gothic cathedral renowned for its stunning stained glass and the relic of the Virgin Mary's veil.
🪶 Closing Reflection
"I will spend my Heaven doing good on earth. I will let fall a shower of roses." — St. Therese of Lisieux, from her deathbed, 1897
