An 11-Day Pilgrimage to France

Including Paris, Lisieux, Nevers, Paray le Monial, Ars, Lyon, La Salette, Avignon, Carcassonne, Lourdes & more.  

Day 1 - Monday
USA / PARIS
This afternoon we meet for our connecting flight to our transatlantic flight to Paris.  Meals are served on board.

Day 2 - Tuesday
PARIS
Upon our arrival in Paris we are met by our Pilgrimage Tours tour director and embark on a motor coach tour of the city to include the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Elysees.  Then we go to Rue de Bac where we will celebrate Mass at the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal, also known as the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, where St. Catherine Laboure, a member of the Daughters of Charity, received her apparitions of Mary.  Finally, we will visit the Shrine of Vincent de Paul.  The remainder of our day is free.  Dinner and overnight in Paris.
 
Day 3 - Wednesday
PARIS / LISIEUX
This morning we go to the town of Lisieux, home of St. Therese the Carmelite nun known as “The Little Flower” and the Newest Doctor of the Church.  Here we will visit the site of the Lisieux family home, Les Buissonets, the Carmelite Convent Chapel where St. Therese and her parents are entombed.  We celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Therese.  We return to Paris for a special dinner and cruise on the Seine River.  Overnight in Paris.

Day 4 - Thursday
PARIS / NEVERS
This morning we will visit the cathedral of Notre-Dame, an architectural marvel, which stands on the banks of the Seine on the site of an early Christian basilica that had in turn been built on the site of a temple from the Roman era.  Here we will see the Gallery of the Kings, its Rose Window and its many chapels.  When then head to the Montmartre District, the “Artists Quarter” of Paris and visit the Romanesque and Byzantine Sacre Coeur Basilica on top of Montmartre Hill.  The basilica with its many domes and arches contain wonderful sculptures, paintings and mosaics.  In the rear of the basilica you will see a bell tower that houses the “Savoyarde”, a bell weighing nearly 19 tons and one of the largest in the world.  We depart Paris and proceed to Nevers to visit the museum and convent of St. Gildards, where Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes spent the final 13 years of her life.  Here you will see the incorrupt body of Saint Bernadette kept in a glass reliquary.  We have our own celebration of Mass in this most holy of places.  Dinner and overnight in Nevers.

Day 5 - Friday
NEVERS / PARAY le MONIAL / ARS / LYON
This morning we depart Nevers and continue on to Paray le Monial, known as the City of the Eucharist, and visit the site of the Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Margaret Mary Alacoque.  Here we will visit the Chapel of the Visitations and enjoy an audio-visual presentation of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.  We continue on to Ars, village of the Holy Cure and visit the house and shrine of St. John Vianney, the Patron Saint of Parish Priests.  Here we will celebrate Mass before departing Ars for Lyon.  Dinner and overnight in Lyon.

Day 6 - Saturday
LYON / LA SALETTE
This morning we depart Lyon for the French Alps and the Sanctuary of La Salette.  It is here that in 1846, Mary appeared weeping to two young shepherds.  Not only are the message and the event of La Salette inspiring, the site of the grounds is truly breathtaking.  The shrine and its hotel are perched high atop the mountains in isolated splendor.  We celebrate Mass and enjoy sightseeing on the grounds of this wonderful sanctuary.  Dinner and overnight in La Salette.

Day 7 - Sunday
LA SALETTE / AVIGNON / CARCASSONNE
Following Mass, we depart La Salette for Avignon.  We arrive in Avignon and visit the grand Palace of the Popes, where in the 14th century, it service as home to the Papacy during Rome’s tumultuous political conditions of the time.  We depart for Carcassonne, the largest preserved walled city in the world, where we enjoy a sightseeing tour of this ancient city.  Dinner and overnight in Carcassonne.

Day 8 - Monday
CARCASSONNE / LOURDES
This morning we immediately depart Carcassonne for Lourdes.  Upon our arrival in Lourdes, we will celebrate Mass at the Rosary Basilica before arriving at our hotel.  Dinner is followed by the Candlelight Procession.  Overnight in Lourdes.

Day 9 - Tuesday
LOURDES
This morning after Mass we take a walking tour to see the sites of Lourdes where, in 1858, Mary appeared to young Bernadette Soubirous.  We visit the Grotto, the Spring and the healing Baths, as well as the Basilica of St. Pius X, the Rosary Basilica and Bernadette’s home.  The afternoon is free for Adoration, Confessions, a time of private devotion, reciting the Rosary, and relaxation before dinner.  This evening we may again participate in the Candlelight Procession.  Dinner and overnight in Lourdes.

Day 10 - Wednesday
LOURDES / BARTRES / ST. SAVIN
This morning we celebrate Mass in the Grotto.  Next we will explore the countryside known by St. Bernadette with a trip into the snowcapped Pyrenees Mountains.  First we visit Bartres, where Bernadette lived and then we will make a stop to visit the old Benedictine Abbey in the village of St. Savin.  The remainder of the day is free in Lourdes where we can participate in the Stations of the Cross, which is located outdoors in its beautiful natural surroundings.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Lourdes.

Day 11 - Thursday
LOURDES / PARIS / USA
This morning we depart Lourdes to connect in Paris for our return flight home.  Though our pilgrimage has come to an end, its blessings will last a lifetime and its graces are certain to draw us closer each day to the Lord.

Back to Top