An 11-day Catholic Pilgrimage Tour to France

June 7, 2027 – Monday
COLUMBUS / FRANCE
Today we depart Columbus International Airport on our overnight flight to France, arriving in Paris the following morning. Meals are served on board our transatlantic flight.

June 8, 2027 – Tuesday
PARIS / LISIEUX
Upon our arrival in Paris, we meet our Pilgrimage Tours’ tour manager who will remain with us until the end of our tour. We depart Charles de Gaulle Airport for the town of Lisieux, the home to Saint Therese, the Carmelite nun known as “The Little Flower” and Doctor of the Church. Here we will visit the site of the Lisieux family home, Les Buissonnets, and the Carmelite Convent Chapel which contains the remains of Saint Therese. Our day concludes with a visit to the Basilica of St. Therese. Here we will celebrate Mass in its Crypt, where St. Therese’s parents are entombed. Dinner and overnight in Lisieux.

June 9, 2027 – Wednesday
LISIEUX / NORMANDY / MONT ST. MICHEL
This morning, we depart for the beaches of Normandy in Colleville-sur-Mer. Here we visit the awe-inspiring St. Laurent Cemetery with its seeming
endless sea of crosses. The cemetery sits on top of a cliff that overlooks Omaha Beach, where the Allied Forces landing was the turning point of World War II. Following a visit to Omaha Beach, we drive to Mont St. Michel, the celebrated Benedictine abbey on a rocky, cone-shaped island in northwestern France, connected by a causeway with the mainland. Founded in 708, the abbey resisted the assaults of the English during the Hundred Years’ War. Its small houses and shops from the 13th century are considered outstanding examples of Gothic architecture. Following a visit to the Mont St. Michel Abbey, we visit and celebrate Mass in the Church of St. Pierre de Mont Saint-Michel. We return to Lisieux for dinner and overnight.

June 10, 2027 – Thursday
LISIEUX / CHARTRES / NEVERS
This morning we depart for Nevers, stopping along the way in the town of Chartres, situated on top of a hill overlooking the River Eure. In the center of the city stands the Cathedral of Notre Dame, one of the finest and best- preserved Gothic buildings in France. We will see its very impressive interior including its windows dating back to 1210 that form the most magnificent collection of medieval stained glass in existence. We also see the cathedral’s south spire, its statuary and its Late Gothic choir screens. In the afternoon we arrive in Nevers to visit the Convent of St. Gildard, where Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes spent the final 13 years of her life. We celebrate Mass in the Chapel of St. Bernadette and see the incorrupt body of Saint Bernadette kept in a glass reliquary. Dinner and overnight in Nevers.

June 11, 2027 – 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 Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Margaret Mary Alacoque, where we will see the saint’s body. Following Mass in the Chapel of the Visitation, where Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary and revealed devotions to His Sacred Heart, we enjoy an audio-visual presentation of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Following our visit, we drive to Ars-sur-Formans, village of the Holy Cure, Saint John Vianney, the Patron Saint of Priests. Here we visit his home and the Basilica of Saint John Vianney, where the saint’s body is housed in a glass reliquary. We continue onto Lyon where upon our arrival we check into our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Lyon.

June 12, 2027 – Saturday
LYON / LA SALETTE
Following breakfast, we enjoy a motor coach tour of Lyon followed by a visit to the beautiful Cathedral of Lyon Cathedral, dedicated to St. John the Baptist. After our visit, we bid Lyon farewell and enjoy a scenic drive to the French Alps and arrive 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 is perched high atop the mountains in isolated splendor. We celebrate Mass in the Sanctuary followed by free time to explore its beautiful grounds. Dinner and overnight in La Salette.

June 13, 2027 – Sunday
LA SALETTE / ANNECY
This morning we drive to Annecy, the “Venice of the Alps”, situated on Lake Annecy and surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Here we will see the Palais de l’Isle and Chateau Annecy prior to a visit to the Church of St. Francis de Sales. Following free time for lunch, we will visit and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Visitation. Following Mass, we will visit the museum at the Mother House Monastery of the Order of the Visitation, founded by St. Jane Frances de Chantal and St. Francis de Sales in 1610. Our day in Annecy concludes with a boat tour of beautiful Lake Annecy, taking in its striking mountain scenery. Dinner and overnight in Annecy.

June 14, 2027 – Monday
ANNECY / BEAUNE / PARIS
This morning we drive to beautiful Beaune, the “capital of Burgundy wines”. Upon our arrival we will visit and celebrate Mass at Notre Dame de Beaune. Following Mass, we visit the Hospices de Beaune and the Hotel-Dieu Museum, a stunning piece of 15th century Gothic architecture. Hotel-Dieu was a hospice for the poor and dying, exuding love and charity. Following our guided tour, we enjoy wine tasting in the ancient cellar. In the afternoon we turn towards Paris, where upon our arrival we check into our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Paris.

June 15, 2027 – Tuesday
PARIS
Following breakfast, we drive to Rue de Bac for a visit to the Shrine of the
Miraculous Medal, where Saint Catherine Laboure received her apparitions of Mary. Here we see the incorrupt body of Saint Catherine as well as the body of Saint Louise de Marillac, who founded the Daughters of Charity with Saint Vincent de Paul. Following Mass at the shrine, we arrive for a visit to the Ile de la Cite, a small island surrounded by the River Siene where 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. Following free time for lunch and shopping next to the cathedral, we will enjoy a motor coach tour of Paris, where we will see many of Paris’ landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and Palais Garnier; Paris’ beautiful opera house. Our tour ends with our arrival on the Champs Elysees, where we will enjoy free time for shopping and personal exploration. Later in the afternoon we regather and drive to the Pantheon building for a short walk to the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens. After our visit, we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Paris.

June 16, 2027 – Wednesday
PARIS
This morning, we will visit and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady
of Victories. Following Mass, we enjoy a walk through the courtyards and
gardens of the Palais Royal and enjoy free time at the Galerie Vivienne, a
covered passageway housing many interesting cafes and shops. In the afternoon we will visit the Eiffel Tower, ascending to its second floor to enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of Paris. Later in the afternoon we arrive in the Montmartre District, known as the “Artists Quarter” of Paris. Here we visit the Romanesque and Byzantine Sacre Coeur Basilica on top of Montmartre Hill. Following our visit of the basilica, we enjoy free time for shopping on Montmartre before this evening’s “farewell dinner” at La Bonne Franquette restaurant. Following dinner, our time in Paris will culminate with an evening cruise on the River Seine. Overnight in Paris.

June 17, 2027 – Thursday
PARIS / COLUMBUS
Following breakfast, we transfer to the airport to board our return flight home. Though our pilgrimage draws to a close, its blessings will last a lifetime and its graces are certain to draw us closer to the Lord.