The consecration of the basilica was on March 25, 1958 by Cardinal Angelo Roncalli, who was earlier the papal nuncio to France, then Patriarch of Venezia, and who later became Pope John XXIII.

The consecration year was selected to celebrate the centenary of the 18 visions of the Virgin Mary experienced by Bernadette Soubirous.

The ceiling is low, at only 10 metres (33 ft) high, and is supported by 58 pre-stressed concrete pillars which meet 29 concrete beams which cross the ceiling, giving it the impression of an upturned ship.

This design creates a very large open space, of 12,000 square metres (130,000 sq ft), for maximum visibility from any part of the nave.

On the lower part of the east side is the series "Bernadette's Way of Light",[2] based on sketches by René Margotton, which depict the eighteen apparitions[3] together with two scenes from her life.