This is a SAMPLE ITINERARY, which may serve as a starting point for planning your customized group pilgrimage. Contact us to customize a tour based on your desired travel dates and destinations.
Day 1: Depart USA
We depart on our overnight flight to Paris. Enjoy dinner & breakfast served aboard overnight flight.
Day 2: Paris / Lisieux
Arrive early this morning in Paris where you will be met by the tour guide and transferred to Lisieux. Upon arrival enjoy an orientation tour of Lisieux with visits to the places associated with the life of St. Terese including the Great Basilica dedicated to her, the Carmelite Convent, the Buissonets (home of the Martin family), and other places of importance. Dinner and overnight in Lisieux. (D)
Day 3: Lisieux / Mont St. Michel
Begin the day with morning Mass. Depart for Caen, the “Benedictine City,” called the Gem of Normandy, which was in the center of the terrible fighting that followed the Allied invasion. Visit the twin abbeys built by William and his wife Matilda of Flanders, as a condition of the Pope’s raising the excommunication served on them. Continue on to the Normandy Beaches, famous for the D-Day landings, and the enormously impressive American cemetery at Omaha Beach. If time allows, stop at Pointe du Hoc, situated between Omaha and Utah Beaches for photographs. Arrive in Mont St. Michel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
Day 4: Mont St. Michel / Vannes
Morning visit to the famous Abbey of Mont St. Michel, perched on a rocky isle in the Gulf of Saint Malo. Its awesome fortifications were attacked many times during the Hundred Years’ War, but never captured. After lunch, depart for Ste Anne D’Aurey, dedicated to the Mother of the Virgin Mary and an important pilgrimage site in France. Mass will be celebrated here. Dinner and overnight in nearby Vannes. (B,D)
Day 5: Vannes / Lourdes
After breakfast depart the hotel for Nantes Train Station where you will board the famous TGV train to Bordeaux. You will be met by your tour escort and transferred to Lourdes by private motor coach. Dinner is at the hotel. After dinner you may wish to participate in the candlelight Procession. Overnight in Lourdes. (B,D)
Day 6: Lourdes
After breakfast, participate in the walking tour of Lourdes where we will visit the places associated with the life of St. Bernadette. These places include the Boly Mill where St. Bernadette was born; the Locale Mill, residence of her parents; the “Cachot,” formerly used as a jail where she lived at the time of the Apparitions; the Chapel where St. Bernadette received her First Holy Communion; and the Parish Church containing the Baptismal Font where she was baptized. Once again, after dinner, please feel free to participate in the Candlelight Procession (if available). Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. (B,D)
Day 7: Lourdes / Avignon
Depart Lourdes after breakfast for Avignon. Dinner and overnight in Avignon. (B,D)
Day 8: Avignon / Paray le Monial
Enjoy an orientation tour of Avignon, the city that served as the “Second Capital” of the Catholic Church during most of the 14th century. After a visit to Avignon we will continue to Paray le Monial for Mass in the Visitation Chapel where the Sacred Heart appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alocoque. Dinner and overnight in Paray-le-Monial. (B,D)
Day 9: Paray le Monial / Nevers
This morning we depart Paray-le-Monial for Nevers. In Nevers, we will view the incorrupt body of St. Bernadette and visit the site of the convent in which she spent her last days. The balance of the day is at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Nevers. (B,D)
Day 10: Nevers / Paris
Depart Nevers early this morning for transfer by motorcoach to Paris. Upon arrival in Paris, we will visit the Rue du Bac Chapel for Mass. It is here that Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Laboure. Here you will also view the incorrupt remains of St. Catherine and the heart of St. Vincent de Paul. We will then continue for a brief sightseeing tour of Paris including the Elysee Palace, residence of France’s presidents; Arc de Triomphe; the Eiffel Tower and the Place de la Concorde. Dinner and overnight in Paris. (B,D)
Day 11: Paris
Today is a full day at leisure. Take time to shop and explore the “City of Lights” on your own. An optional half-day excursion to the magnificent Palace of Versailles will be offered. The beautiful gardens and palace are majestic and reflect the splendor of France’s golden age. You may also wish to participate in an evening cruise along the Seine River after dinner (at additional cost). Dinner and overnight in Paris. (B,D)
Day 12: Paris / USA
We will depart for Paris Airport for our return flight. Arrive home the same day. (B)
