Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Meals served on board.

Upon arriving at Pau or Toulouse airport, make your way to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage. Proceed to the arrival hall, where you be greeted by your tour guide and/-or driver. Embark on the scenic drive to Lourdes. Check in to your hotel, and then relax or explore before dinner. Following dinner, you will have free time to pray the Rosary and to attend the candlelight procession. (April-October only). These processions are lit by candlelight and guided by the Most Holy Rosary. Following this prayerful experience, you will return to your hotel.

During your time in Lourdes, you will pray and meditate in a site of Our Lady’s apparitions. Our Lady first appeared to Bernadette in 1858 and announced herself as “The Immaculate Conception” near the Grotto of Massabielle. During the first two apparitions Bernadette prayed the Rosary with Our Lady. She left without exchanging any words. During the following apparitions, Our Lady emphasized God’s love for us, penance, and the necessity of performing acts of penance for sinners. Throughout your time in Lourdes, you will have the opportunity to attend Mass at the Grotto. The Grotto, is where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette; watch a video presentation that explains in detail the story of Lourdes; drink water from the miraculous spring that has healed many or submerge yourself in the healing baths. You will have the opportunity to experience Christ’s unconditional love as you meditate upon the life-size stations of the cross that overlook the Grotto of Massabielle. You will walk in and meditate upon the footsteps of St. Bernadette. Your group will have the opportunity to see Boly Mill, the birthplace of St. Bernadette, and the “Cachot,” an abandoned prison where the impoverished family lived. Each evening following dinner, you will have an opportunity to attend the candlelight procession and the Rosary before a restful overnight.

This morning, you will awaken feeling well-rested! Following breakfast, transfer to Toulouse. This southern French city was once a Roman colony and home to numerous religious and historical treasures. While here, you will have the opportunity to view many rare artifacts, such as twenty historical pipe organs and the burial place of St. Thomas Aquinas at the St. Sernin Basilica. One of the finest Romanesque churches in France, its exterior is constructed of red brick, with white stone as a decorative accent. Following your visit to this magnificent church, continue north to Rocamadour, a town situated atop a rocky mountain. Upon arrival in Rocamadour, you will enjoy a delicious meal and a restful overnight.

This morning you will awaken in the town overlooking the Alzou Valley, home to the early Christian hermit, Zaccheus of Jericho. Zaccheus conversed with Jesus himself and was the husband of St. Veronica, the woman who wiped the face of Jesus as He climbed to Calvary. During your time at this sacred destination, you will visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Rocamadour, a place of miraculous conversion.  Consisting of numerous religious structures and  chapels centered on a statue of the Virgin Mary and the tomb of  Zaccheus. After you visit this place of miraculous healing, your journey will continue to Paray Le Monial for dinner and overnight.

You will begin your day with breakfast. Following Mass with some free time for prayer and reflection, we visit the Chapel of the Visitation. Here is where Jesus exposed His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the seventeenth century. The apparitions allowed St. Margaret to rest upon Jesus’ Sacred Heart, which allowed her to experience unconditional love for humanity. 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. After free time for lunch in Paray Le Monial, we will drive to Nevers via the picturesque Loire Valley. Nevers is where St. Bernadette lived for twelve years as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Nevers. The Saint suffered from several illnesses like asthma, tuberculosis of the lungs, and a tubercular tumor in her right knee. For this, St. Bernadette received “The Last Sacrament” three times and eventually passed away in 1879 at thirty-five. End the day with a visit to the Convent of Saint Gildard. Enjoy a delicious meal before retiring for the evening.

Upon waking up in Nevers, enjoy breakfast and Mass. Following Mass, you will depart for Chartres. Upon arrival, you will have free time for lunch in the quaint town. This afternoon, visit the massive Cathedral Notre Dame, known worldwide for the incredible stained-glass windows created in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. A World Heritage site called the Cathedral the high point of French Gothic art and masterpiece by UNESCO. Continue to Lisieux, where you will explore the life of St. Therese.  According to  Pope Pius X,  St. Therese of Lisieux was argueably the greatest Saint of modern times. Her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity will come alive as you walk in the great saints footsteps. During your visit, you will see the beautiful Basilica of St. Therese, the magnificent mosaics, and stained glass within. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Lisieux.

Upon waking up in Lisieux and enjoying breakfast, you will pray and reflect upon the life of the beloved Saint and celebrate Mass.  After Mass and a visit to the Basilica,  you will have the opportunity to view relics, clothing, and personal objects of St. Therese when you visit her family home, Les Buissonets. Additionally, you will tour the Carmelite Convent, which she entered in 1888, where her parents are in a tomb. The remainder of the day is free for prayer, reflections, and personal devotions. Dinner and overnight in Lisieux.

This morning you will transfer to Normandy Landing beaches. The Normandy landings were the landing operations, which took place on Tuesday, June 6, 1944 (termed D-Day) by the Allies, Normandy, during World War II. As the largest seaborne invasion in history, the operation began the liberation of German-occupied northwestern Europe from Nazi control and contributed to the Allies victory on the Western Front. Continue to visit The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, a World War II cemetery and memorial in Colleville-Sur-Mer, Normandy, France, honoring the American troops that died in Europe during World War II. Many of the brave American soldiers of World War II got buried here. It is encouraged to say a prayer in thanksgiving for their courage. Next, visit Mont St. Michel, where it is known as The Wonder of the Western World. The monastery, is surrounded by a magnificent bay, has the greatest tidal ranges in Europe, resulting in a breathtaking view. In 708 c.e. Archangel Michael, requested that Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, build and consecrate this monastery. Since the ninth century, the Abbey has been home to a monastic community to ensure the continuation of a spiritual presence. For centuries it has been a pilgrimage site for those seeking Eternal Life with God. Dinner and overnight in Le Mont Saint Michel.

This morning we depart for Rouen.  Located less than two hours from Paris, Rouen, and Seine Valley is a haven of peace for locals and foreigners.  With its many monuments, the tallest Cathedral in France,  cultural heritage, gastronomy,  local products, events, and central location, only Rouen could be the capital of  Normandy! We cannot talk about Rouen without mentioning its symbolic figure, Joan of Arc. She has the place of honor in the city of a hundred Spires. The Duke of Bedford, John of Lancaster, bought Joan of Arc her liberty from the Duke of Burgundy. He had kept her in jail since May 1430. She was tried in the city during Christmas 1430. After a long trial by a church court, she was sentenced, and was to be burned at the stake. The sentence was carried, out on May 30, 1431 in the city, and most residents supported the Duke of Burgundy, Joan of Arc’s royal enemy.

Today, you will enjoy a full sightseeing tour of Paris. After breakfast, you will visit and celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, where you will view the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure. The Saint’s guardian angel led her to the chapel, where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her. During apparitions, Our Lady repeatedly instructed the making and purpose of the Miraculous Medal, as well as the green scapular. According to the Blessed Virgin Mary, those who wear the Miraculous Medal and scapular will receive protection and abundant graces. Following your prayerful and reflective experience at this elegant chapel, you will begin your sightseeing tour of Paris. After Mass, we will walk to Saint Vincent de Paul Church. Our panoramic sightseeing tour via motor-coach, for you to view the most recognizable symbol of the city of Paris, the Eiffel Tower. Historically, the Tower’s original intent was to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution. World War One assisted in advancements in meteorology and telegraphy, radio, and television. Pass by Invalides, Arc de Triomphe is a monument that symbolizes gratitude for those who fought for France. This monument stands at the west end of the Champ-Elysees, one of the world’s most famous boulevards, and another one of our stops on the sightseeing tour. We will stop at La Madeleine, with the statue of Mary Magdalene carried to heaven by angels. Due to the tragic fire at Notre Dame Cathedral on April 15, 2019 pilgrims are not allowed to enter the Cathedral. Pilgrims will still have the opportunity to view the Cathedral from the outside, and we expect the sacred relics to be on display in a nearby church or museum. Continue and pass by the Opera and the ever-famous Louvre Museum.* The Louvre Museum is one of the finest in the world. It contains many pieces that truly emanate, not only French art but, also European culture.

After an early breakfast and whole-hearted farewells, you will transfer to the Paris airport for your return flight(s) home.

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.