Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, Manitoba, is a captivating unincorporated community recognized as a local urban district in the Municipality of Lorne. This charming community, which held village status until January 1, 2015, is nestled within the Central Plains Region, 100 km southwest of Winnipeg. The community's name, translating to "Our Lady of Lourdes" in English, is a nod to the Marian apparition reported to have appeared before Saint Bernadette in Lourdes, France.
The site of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes is steeped in history, lying in Ojibwa country. The Canadian pioneer explorer Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de la Vérendrye journeyed through the area in 1738, seeking to establish a route to the western oceans.
The first settlers, hailing from present-day Quebec, arrived in the 1880s. The community's post office was established in 1892 on 36-6-9W. Father Dom Benoît, the parish's first priest, arrived with French and Swiss immigrants. He also established a seminary of the Canons Regulaires with about 30 students, but changes to the rules from Rome led to its dissolution. A significant milestone in the community's development was the establishment of a CNR railway point in 1912.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes had a population of 756 living in 287 of its 296 total private dwellings. This represented a modest growth of 1.6% from its 2016 population of 744. With a land area of 2.83 km2 (1.09 sq mi), the community had a population density of 267.1/km2 (691.9/sq mi) in 2021.
The community has seen steady growth over the years. In the 2011 census, the population was 683, marking an increase of 16.0% from the 589 inhabitants recorded during the 2006 census.
Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, Manitoba, with its rich history and welcoming community, is a must-visit destination for those seeking to explore the heart of Canada.
