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!
Depart today on board your overnight transatlantic flight to Paris (CDG), arriving the following day. Enjoy a full meal service as well as in-flight entertainment such as movies, music, etc.
Upon your arrival in Paris, you will be welcomed at the airport exit by your dedicated pilgrimage director and local guide. We will board our luxury motorcoach and take a panoramic bus tour of Paris, providing a first look over most of the capital's monuments, including a photo stop at the Eiffel Tower. After lunch, we will make our way to the basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre (Sacre Coeur), which since 1885 has maintained perpetual Eucharistic adoration. We will pray before the Blessed Sacrament and celebrate Mass. After checking into our hotel, we will gather back together for a festive group welcome dinner (included). Overnight in Paris. (D)
Following breakfast, we make our way to the chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, a popular shrine in Paris where several authenticated apparitions of the Virgin Mary 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 can be venerated. Following lunch, we make our way to the breathtaking Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel), a royal treasure and one of the highest achievements of Gothic architecture. Consecrated in 1248, this architectural masterpiece was built by King Louis IX to house the Crown of Thorns. We conclude the day with a visit to the iconic cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris, a jewel of Catholic France. The evening is free to explore and have dinner on your own. Overnight in Paris. (B)
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we will enjoy a scenic drive through the French countryside to Alençon, where St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus spent her childhood. See the home where she was born and where her devout parents, Louis and Zélie Martin, met and were married. This married couple has the rare distinction of being the first couple canonized together in the history of the Church. We will see where their first meeting was on the Saint-Léonard Bridge and where they were married a few months later in the village church of Notre-Dame. Lunch and free time to visit the gift shops and explore the childhood neighborhood of the “Little Flower,” learning about her extraordinary parents and her nine siblings, five of whom survived and became nuns. After Mrs. Martin died here in 1877, the family moved to nearby Lisieux. Later in the afternoon, we will board our bus and travel in their footsteps to Lisieux for dinner at our hotel (included). Overnight in Lisieux. (B, D)
Following breakfast, we will visit the magnificent Sanctuary of Lisieux, a shrine that draws many thousands of pilgrims each year. Discover the mighty basilica built in her honor and watch a movie about the life of St. Thérèse (today is her feast day!), whom Pope John Paul II declared a “Doctor of the Church,” due to her clear teaching and gospel simplicity. Visit the “Buissonnets,” the family home where Thérèse spent 11 years of her childhood before she entered the Carmel. Next, we discover the Carmelite convent where she remained cloistered until her death. We will have time to pray by her relics at her shrine. We will also visit the cathedral of Saint Peter where the Martin family went to Mass regularly. After Mass in the basilica, we will have lunch on our own. Next, we will board our motorcoach and depart for an afternoon trip to the beaches of Normandy. We begin with a memorable visit to the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer where these young soldiers are buried. Following prayerful time at the cemetery, we will make our way to Omaha beach, the most famous of the Normandy landing beaches. On our return back to Lisieux, we will stop at Benouville's bridge, most known as the Pegasus bridge. We will have dinner at a local restaurant (included) en route on our journey back to Lisieux. Overnight in Lisieux. (B, D)
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we board our luxury motorcoach and begin our journey to Paray-le-Monial. Along the way, we will stop in Tours to celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, 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. Following lunch, we continue our journey to Paray-le-Monial. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel and gather for a festive group dinner (included). Overnight in Paray-le-Monial. (B, D)
We begin our day with a walking tour of Paray-le-Monial with a special visit to the Chapel of the Visitation. Here is where Jesus exposed His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the seventeenth century. During your visit to this Holy place, you will have the opportunity to view relics of the beloved Saint, located beneath a wax figure of her image. We continue on to celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Following lunch, the rest of the afternoon is dedicated free time to rest, pray, shop, and dine. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Paray-le-Monial. (B)
Following breakfast, we board our motorcoach and begin our day trip to the heart of France’s Burgundy region, Dijon. In addition to being a French culinary staple, Dijon is where we will find St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. While here, we will venerate the saint's relics and celebrate Mass at St. Michael Church. Following lunch, pilgrims will enjoy free time to explore the charming surroundings. Return to Paray-le-Monial with dinner on your own. Overnight in Paray-le-Monial. (B)
Following breakfast at the hotel, we board our motorcoach for a day trip to the picturesque Alpine village of Annecy. While here we will celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Visitation. We will have the blessed opportunity to venerate the relics of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal. Following lunch, pilgrims will enjoy free time to explore the village and its quaint boutique shops before boarding our motorcoach back to Paray-le-Monial. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Paray-le-Monial. (B)
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we board our motorcoach and begin our journey to Marseille. Along the way, we will stop at the small country village of Ars-sur-Formans. While here, 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. 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 continue our journey to Marseille, arriving in the evening. Following our hotel check-in, dinner on your own. Overnight in Marseille. (B)
Following breakfast, we will board our motorcoach for a day trip to the holy sites of St. Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene came to France to preach the Christian faith and she remained here for the last 30 years of her life. She decided to stay in La Sainte-Baume to repent inside a cave, helping those who came to her. Her remains were exhumed in 1279 where the Saint-Maximin basilica now stands. We will visit the cave/grotto where the saint spent her final 30 years of life and celebrate Mass in the basilica where we will later venerate her relics. Following ample time for lunch and free time in the charming city, we will board our motorcoach and transfer back to our hotel for a festive farewell dinner (included). Overnight in Marseille. (B, D)
The next morning, with vivid memories of France, we transfer to Marseille airport (MRS) and board our return flight back home. (B)