This pilgrimage to France offers you an unforgettable experience in the country that has long been known as the "Eldest daughter of the Church."
Here you will be fully immersed in the land of castles, cathedrals, and culinary arts. You will experience first-hand the delight of seeing Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe. You will pray in Gothic cathedrals, see Medieval monasteries, encounter incorrupt saints, and taste unsurpassed wines. Join us on this once-in-a-lifetime experience that will make you always want to return to France!
Upon our arrival in Paris, we will be welcomed at the airport exit by our dedicated pilgrimage director and local guide. We will board our luxury motorcoach and make our way to the nearby convent of the Sisters Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus at Vers-sur-Launette to begin our pilgrimage with Holy Mass in their private chapel. Following Mass, the sisters will provide a light picnic lunch (included) in the garden. This convent was the first house of the Sisters Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus in France, located on the beautiful property of Saint-Sulpice in Loisy just outside Paris. This house of prayer is located in a calm atmosphere, conducive to contemplation, on the edge of the large national forest of Ermenonville. Next we will take a panoramic bus tour of Paris, providing a first look over most of the capital's monuments. After checking into our hotel, pilgrims are free to explore Paris until our festive group welcome dinner (included). Overnight in Paris. (L, D)
Following breakfast, we board our luxury motorcoach and make our way to the church of Saint Roch for Mass. Following Mass, we will head to the basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre, also known as Sacré-Cœur. We will have time to tour the basilica and the charming area of Montmartre, making sure to take in some of the best views of Paris. Lunch on our own. We will continue on to the chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, a popular shrine in Paris where several authenticated apparitions of Our Lady took place in 1830. Afterwards, we will take a quick walk around the corner to find the Chapel of Saint Vincent de Paul where his relics are venerated. We will continue with a visit to the iconic cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris, a jewel of Catholic France, scheduled to be open after years of restoration following its closing in 2019. We conclude our day with a scenic Seine River Cruise with dinner (included). Overnight in Paris. (B, D)
After breakfast in Paris, we board our motorcoach and begin our journey to Tours to see the Basilica of St. Martin, built over his tomb. This place of miracles has a long history. It was sacked by Protestant Huguenots in 1562 and was used as a stable during the French Revolution and thereafter was destroyed. The current basilica was rebuilt and consecrated in 1925. After Mass in the basilica, lunch on your own and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Tours. We will walk to the Oratory of the Holy Face, where the famous devotion of the Holy Face is centered. The devotion was spread by Leo Dupont, a devout lawyer in Tours while revelations were received by the Carmelite nun, Sr. Marie of St. Peter. In the afternoon, we will board our coach and transfer to our hotel. Dinner on our own. Overnight in Tours. (B)
After breakfast, we will board our coach and transfer to Nevers. Following lunch, we continue our pilgrimage with a visit and Mass at the Convent and Sanctuary of Nevers, dedicated to Saint Bernadette of Lourdes. During our time here, we will visit and venerate the saint and her incorrupt body. After her life in Lourdes, Bernadette joined the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity, their motherhouse being in Nevers. She entered into the community on July 7, 1866 and led a hidden life at this convent for 13 years, far from the demands of the people after the apparitions. Bernadette was burdened by poor health and as time passed, she became more and more sick, lending to tremendous suffering. She passed away at age 35 while praying the rosary, keeping with Our Lady’s admonition: “Penance, penance, penance.” After our visit to the sanctuary, dinner on our own. Overnight in Nevers. (B)
Following breakfast, we board our motorcoach and transfer to the small country village of Ars-sur-Formans where we will have the privilege of celebrating Mass at the Shrine of Saint John Vianney, the Curé d’Ars and the patron saint of priests. The village of Ars to this day is highly influenced by this saint and draws pilgrims from all over the world. We will pray at the shrine, venerate his incorrupt body, visit the rectory where he lived, and see the confessional where he heard confessions. We will make time for confessions in the chapel. After exploring the Shrine and the charming village, we will have dinner together (included). Overnight in Ars. (B, D)
Following breakfast and morning Mass, we will board our motorcoach and transfer to Avignon, a region that was part of the Papal States until the French Revolution. Avignon became the seat of the papacy for 67 years between 1309 and 1376 with seven successive French popes living here before they finally returned to Rome. After lunch, we will visit the famous papal palace, one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in France. Construction of the palace began in 1252. During the Avignon Papacy, it was the seat of Western Christianity and six papal conclaves were held here. With the improvement of relations with the French crown, the popes returned to Rome. Avignon is also known for its wines produced locally. Dinner on our own. Overnight in Avignon. (B)
After breakfast we make our way to the traditional Benedictine Abbey of Le Barroux in the heart of the south of France for Terce and the Conventual High Mass sung by the monks at 9:30 AM. Terce is the third canonical hour after dawn. Here you can hear the monks sing Gregorian chant and experience the monastic liturgy of a traditional Benedictine monastery. The monks at Le Barroux wear the traditional monastic tonsure of the Middle-Ages, a rare sight today. Time for shopping in the monastery gift shop and picnic lunch on the monastery grounds. After lunch we will drive to the nearby traditional Benedictine Abbey of the Annunciation, where the sister community of nuns live. Time to pray in their chapel and visit their gift shop. These monasteries are located amid the sunny winery region amongst picturesque vineyards and farms. Return to Avignon for a free evening at your leisure. Overnight in Avignon. (B)
Following breakfast, we will begin our journey to the fortified city of Carcassonne. Visiting here will give you a rare glimpse of what city life was like in the Middle-Ages with a large chapel and fortified castle at the center. Carcassonne is known worldwide, situated in the south of France, not far from the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees mountains. A casual walk through the cobbled streets will take you through a labyrinth of enchanting little alleyways with boutique shops and quaint little restaurants. The exquisite Basilica of Saint-Nazarius and Celsus is open for prayer. Here we will have Mass. This rocky peak has been inhabited since the 4th century BC and the town has been protected by ramparts since the 3rd century. Following a free afternoon and lunch, we will board our motorcoach and transfer to Lourdes for dinner (included). Overnight in Lourdes. (B, D)
Following breakfast, we begin our day in Lourdes, one of the most visited pilgrimage destinations in the world. Lourdes is today the third most popular Catholic pilgrimage site in the world and the second most visited place in France after Paris. It is here that the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Bernadette and revealed herself under the title of the Immaculate Conception. Millions of pilgrims have visited and there have been thousands of documented cures. We will walk in the footsteps of Saint Bernadette and visit the places where she lived and the sites related to her childhood. Following lunch, we will visit the Grotto of the apparitions and make time for members of our group to visit the baths. We will also pray the Via Crucis at the life-sized Stations of the Cross as a group. Dinner on our own. In the evening we will participate in the nightly candle-light procession. Overnight in Lourdes. (B)
Following an early breakfast and hotel check out, we will make our way to Toulouse for Holy Mass at the Chapelle Saint Jean-Baptiste, an enchanting chapel in the historic city center that is under the care of the Institute of Christ the King. Next we will walk to the old Church of the Jacobins to venerate the tomb of St. Thomas Aquinas. After, we will make our way to Montauban and conclude our pilgrimage with an afternoon visit to the Jayr family farm for a fantastic traditional French lunch hosted by the hospitable Jayr Family. The visit is sure to be a highlight of the pilgrimage. Afterwards we will return to Toulouse for hotel check in and dinner on our own. Overnight in Toulouse. (B, L)
The next morning, we have an early breakfast, check out of our hotel, and transfer to the airport for our return flights home. (B)
Designated Arrival and Departure Times
This is a land-only pilgrimage. Pilgrims are responsible for arranging their own airfare. Please reference the designated arrival and departure times below when purchasing your airfare:
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