Catholic pilgrims from around the world, many sick or disabled, flocked to Lourdes on Monday under exceptional security after recent extremist attacks.
Armed soldiers and police patrolled the train station, town centre and inside the sanctuary at Lourdes, where a 19th-century village girl had visions of the Virgin Mary.
As a helicopter circled overhead, visitors bearing candles and banners streamed toward the grotto and the sprawling plaza of the basilica, apparently undeterred by new security restrictions or the recent attacks.
