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The obsolescence of some tourism sites has been researched and modelled by the geographers R.W. Butler and M. Chadefaud who applied the concept of a product’s life cycle. This approach to the evolution of destinations has been adapted to Lourdes, a major religious tourism destination. By disrupting the system in Lourdes, the COVID-19 crisis could accelerate the transformation of the destination and facilitate the transition. From a diachronic and synchronic viewpoint, this paper gives a wider perspective to the current crisis. Although the Sanctuary is introducing some innovative concepts, those innovations fall more within a logic of “adaptation-resilience” than a transformation process. These initiatives are not universally welcomed by local tourism professionals, who find it difficult to consider a new approach to the destination. So far, the crisis seems to have exacerbated tensions among the tourism stakeholders in Lourdes rather than federating their energies around a common project of transition towards a more sustainable tourism model.

International audience; The obsolescence of some tourist sites has been researched and modelled by the geographers R.W. Butler and M. Chadefaud who applied the concept of a product's life cycle. This approach to the evolution of destinations has been adapted to Lourdes, an important mecca as far as religious tourism is concerned. By disrupting the system in Lourdes, the COVID-19 crisis could accelerate the transformation of the destination and facilitate the transition. From a diachronic and synchronic viewpoint, this paper gives a wider perspective to the current crisis. Although the Sanctuary is introducing some innovative concepts, those innovations fall more within a logic of "adaptation-resilience" than a transformation process. These initiatives are not universally welcomed by local tourism professionals, who find it difficult to consider a new approach to the destination. So far, the crisis seems to have intensified tensions among the stakeholders rather than federated their energies into a joint project of transition towards a more sustainable tourism.; L’obsolescence de certains lieux touristiques a été modélisée par les géographes R.W. Butler et M. Chadefaud par transposition du concept de cycle de vie d’un produit. Cette approche de la trajectoire des destinations a été appliquée à Lourdes, haut-lieu du tourisme religieux. La crise de la COVID‑19, en ébranlant le système lourdais, pourrait accélérer le changement de la destination et favoriser la transition. Inscrit dans une perspective à la fois diachronique et synchronique, cet article remet en perspective la crise actuelle. Même si le Sanctuaire propose certaines innovations, elles s’inscrivent plus dans une logique « d’adaptation-résilience » que dans une logique de transformation. Ces innovations ne font pas l’unanimité chez les professionnels du tourisme lourdais qui envisagent difficilement un repositionnement de la destination. Pour l’instant, la crise semble avoir plutôt exacerbé les tensions parmi les acteurs que suscité une fédération des énergies autour d’un projet commun de transition vers un tourisme plus durable.

International audience; The breakout of COVID-19 has massively impacted the event industry. Focusing on Lourdes Pilgrimages, the results of the study reveal that the online delivery of the event, has not negatively impacted on the traditional dimension of the pilgrimage; nor on the satisfaction of attendees. Instead, it has potentially offered some opportunities to the Sanctuary, and surrounding areas. As a result, crisis either internal or external to an industry should not be perceived only as negative. A Janusian thinking approach is required to perceive the opportunities related to crisis, and an ambidextrous management approach needed to exploit them.