12 Days

Best Shrines of France Pilgrimage

Spiritual Director: Fr. Joseph Desmond

August 20 - 31, 2020
5JD092020

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Lourdes (St. Bernadette) · Toulouse · Rocamadour · Paray Le Monial · Nevers (St. Bernadette) · Chartres · Lisieux (St. Therese the Little Flower) · Normandy Beaches · Mont Saint Michel · Paris ·

Explore France's beautiful Catholic Shrines on this cross-country Pilgrimage. From small villages in the South of France to Paris, one of the greatest cities in the world, France is sure to take your breath away. On this Pilgrimage you will see magnificent Shrines and Churches and learn of the lives of; St. Bernadette, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Veronica and Zaccheus, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Catherine Labourne. Don't miss this incredible tour highlighting the Best Shrines of France.


Fr. Joseph Desmond


pilgrimage map
DATES  &  PRICES
Any questions?  Contact Us:
Chris
Jon
Additional information
Terms & Conditions

Your trip includes

Accommodations:
hotel
Moderne
Lourdes

3 Nights

hotel
Hotel du Chateau
Rocamadour

1 Night

hotel
Hostellerie des Trois Pigeons
Paray Le Monial

1 Night

hotel
Hotel Mercure
Nevers

1 Night

hotel
Grand Hotel de l'Esperance
Lisieux

2 Nights

Not included
  • Lunches, Tips to your guide & driver.
Optional
Travel Protection

Providing you coverage for situations that may arise during your trip, including medical and dental emergencies, loss of luggage, trip delay, and so much more.

Cancel For Any Reason Waiver

A Cancellation Waiver - allowing you to cancel your trip and receive a refund anytime - up until 48 hours prior to departure.

Itinerary

Day 1, Thursday, August 20: Depart for Lourdes

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

Day 2, Friday, August 21: Arrive Lourdes

Upon arriving at Pau or Toulouse airport, make your way to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage. Proceed to the arrival's hall, where you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver. You will embark on a 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), guided by the Most Holy Rosary. Following this prayerful experience, you will return to your hotel for an overnight.

Day 3 & 4, Saturday & Sunday, August 22 - 23: Lourdes

Over the next two days, you will stay in a small town, nestled within the Pyrenees Mountains. During your time in Lourdes, you will pray and meditate at 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, little Bernadette prayed the Rosary with Our Lady and left without any exchange of 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, 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 and submerge yourself in the healing baths. Additionally, 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. Also in Lourdes, 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 Bernadette's impoverished family lived. Each evening following dinner, you will have an opportunity to attend the candlelight procession and the Rosary, before a restful overnight.

Day 5, Monday, August 24: Lourdes - Toulouse - Rocamadour

This morning, you will awaken feeling well rested! Following breakfast, transfer to Toulouse. This Southern French city was once a Roman colony and is home to numerous religious and historical treasures. While here, you will have the opportunity to view many of these rare artifacts such as twenty historical pipe organs, and the burial place of St. Thomas Aquinas at the St. Sernin Basilica. As one of the finest Romanesque Churches in France, its exterior is constructed of red brick, with decorative accents of white stone. 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.

Day 6, Tuesday, August 25: Rocamadour - Paray Le Monial

This morning you will awaken in the town that overlooks the Alzou Valley, and was the home to 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. It is comprised of numerous religious structures and Chapels, centered on a statue of the Virgin Mary and the tomb of Zaccheus. After your visit to this place of miraculous healing, your journey will continue to Paray Le Monial for dinner and an overnight.

Day 7, Wednesday, August 26: Paray Le Monial - Nevers

You will begin your day with breakfast and then celebrate Mass, with some free time for prayer and reflection. Following Mass, you will visit the Chapel of the Visitation, where Jesus exposed His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, in the seventeenth century. These apparitions allowed St. Margaret to rest herself upon Jesus' Sacred Heart, and to experience the 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. Following free time for lunch in Paray Le Monial, we will drive to Nevers via the picturesque Loire Valle. Nevers is the site where St. Bernadette lived for twelve years as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Nevers. The Saint suffered from a number of illnesses such as asthma, tuberculosis of the lungs, and a tubercular tumor in her right knee. For this reason, St. Bernadette received "The Last Sacraments" three times and eventually passed away in 1879, at the age of thirty-five. Visit of the Convent of Saint Gildard, before enjoying a delicious meal and retiring for the evening at a hotel in Nevers.

Day 8, Thursday, August 27: Nevers - Chartres - Lisieux

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, followed by a visit to the massive Cathedral Notre Dame, which is known worldwide for the incredible stained-glass windows, created in the twelfth and thirteenth century. A World Heritage site, by UNESCO, calls the Cathedral "the high point of French Gothic art" and a "masterpiece". After lunch, we will continue will continue to Lisieux for dinner and an overnight.

Day 9, Friday, August 28: Lisieux - Normandy Beaches - Mont Saint Michel - Lisieux

This morning you will head west and take a day trip to the site that marked the turning point of World War II, Normandy Beach. This beach is known for the "D-Day landings", where Allied troops, led by American General Dwight Eisenhower, stormed and began to defeat the Nazi army. While at Normandy, you will have the opportunity to visit the American cemetery of Omaha Beach. Many of the brave American soldiers of World War II are buried here, and it is encouraged to say a prayer in thanksgiving for their courage. Continue on to Mont St. Michel, where the Monastery of Le Mont St. Michele is located, also known as, "The Wonder of the Western World". It is given this name because the Monastery is surrounded by a magnificent bay, which has one of the greatest tidal ranges in Europe, resulting in a breathtaking view. In 709, this Monastery was built and consecrated by Aubert, Bishop of Avranches at the request of Michael the Archangel. Since the ninth century, the Abbey has been home to a monastic community, in order to ensure the continuation of a spiritual presence. For centuries, it has been a pilgrimage site for those seeking Eternal Life with God. You will return to Lisieux for dinner and an overnight.

Day 10, Saturday, August 29: Lisieux - Paris

After breakfast, you will explore the life of St. Therese. According to Pope Pius X, St. Therese of Lisieux was the "greatest saint of modern times". Her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity will come alive as you walk in the Great Saint's footsteps. During your visit, you will see the beautiful Basilica of St. Therese, and the magnificent mosaics and stained glass contained within. Following your 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 parish of St. Therese, the Cathedral of St. Peter, and the Carmelite Convent, where St. Therese entered in 1888, and is currently entombed in with her parents. Your tour of the "Little Flower's" life culminates as you board bus to transfer to the "City of Lights" - Paris. Upon arrival enjoy dinner and an overnight.

Day 11, Sunday, August 30: Paris

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 special 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 Vicent de Paul Church. You will continue your day with a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a perfect example of Gothic art. Your panoramic sightseeing tour, via motor coach, continues on to 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, but later on, assisted in meteorology, telegraphy during World War I, radio, and television. Pass by the L'Arch de Triomphe, 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 also pass by the ever famous, Louvre Museum.* This Museum is one of the finest in the world and contains a number of pieces that truly emanate not only French art but also, European culture. Your fun-filled, busy day ends with a lovely meal and a very comfortable overnight.

*Regretfully we will not visit the Louvre Museum, due to time limitations. However, if you wish to extend your stay in Paris, this Museum is worth it, as it is one of the finest in the world and contains pieces that emanate European art and culture.

Day 12, Monday, August 31: Return Home

After an early breakfast and whole-hearted farewells, you will transfer to the Paris airport for 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.


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Single Supplement / Solo Traveler Upon Request

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Options and upgrades

*All pricing is per person

Single Supplement / Solo Traveler Upon Request

Business Class Trans-Atlantic Upgrade (One-Way) Upon Request

Business Class Trans-Atlantic Upgrade (Round-Trip) Upon Request

About your trip

pilgrimage map
  • Lourdes (St. Bernadette)
  • Lisieux (St. Therese the Little Flower)
  • Mont Saint Michel
  • Chartres
  • Paris
  • Nevers (St. Bernadette)
  • Paray-le-Monial
  • La Salette
About Lourdes

She came for you and for everyone of us! 6 million pilgrims come to Lourdes each year and 10,000 visit this site daily. At the foot of the Pyrenees mountains in southwestern France, nestled between the spectacular mountain river, Gave de Pau, is Lourdes, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the World. Lourdes is the birthplace of St Bernadette to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858 near the Grotto of Massabielle. Our pilgrimage and tour of Lourdes includes visits to the sanctuary and the Basilica of St Pius X, the world's largest underground Church. Drink from the spring that the Virgin directed Bernadette to locate at the base of the Grotto, which has flowed uninterrupted since 1858. Wash yourself in the baths where hundreds of miraculous cures have taken place. Contemplate Christ's Passion as you pray the unique three-dimensional Stations of the Cross. Attend the blessing of the sick, and participate in nightly candlelight processions requested by Our Lady. Daily Mass, and Mass at the Grotto on Sunday will be followed by a video presentation telling the miraculous story of Lourdes. Visit Lourdes and experience a spiritual journey from which many have claimed healing and conversion.

About Lisieux & Paris

Visit town of Lisieux, the home of St Therese whom Pope Pius X called "the greatest saint of modern times" Visit Paris and all its wonderful sights like Notre Dame Cathedral and Sacre Coeur, see the sights as the Eiffel Tower, L'Arc de Triomphe, and drive through the Champs Elysees. Mass at Shrine of the Miraculous Medal.

Terms & Conditions

Pilgriamge Information
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We promise to do all within our power to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact us, please note should any problems arise during your trip you should first contact your local emergency contact in your destination country or the 206 Tours.

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Any questions?  Contact Us:
Chris
Jon