Day 1 – Monday
USA / FRANCE
Today we gather for our departing flight to France. Meals are served on board our transatlantic flight.

Day 2 – Tuesday
PARIS / LOURDES
Upon our arrival in Paris we meet our Pilgrimage Tours’ tour director who will remain with us until the end of our tour. We board our plane for the short flight to Lourdes, where in 1858, Mary appeared to a young Bernadette Soubirous. Upon our arrival in Lourdes we check into our hotel prior to walking to the Sanctuary for an introduction to the Shrine. Following dinner, we participate in this evening’s Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Lourdes.

Day 3 – Wednesday
LOURDES
This morning we celebrate Mass at the Grotto, where Mary appeared to Bernadette numerous times. Following Mass, we enjoy a walking tour of Lourdes where we will see the places important in the life and story of St. Bernadette, including the Healing Baths where many pilgrims submerge themselves for its healing properties, the Rosary Basilica (Lower Basilica), the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Upper Basilica), the Basilica of Pius X, followed by visits to Bernadette’s home and the Museum of Lourdes. Our afternoon is free for personal exploration of Lourdes and time for those who wish to visit the Lourdes’ Baths. Following dinner this evening, we have another opportunity to join the Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Lourdes.

Day 4 – Thursday
LOURDES / LYON
Following an early morning Mass at the Poor Clares Convent across the street from our hotel, we return to our hotel for breakfast before departing for Lyon. Upon our arrival in Lyon, we visit Lyon’s beautiful Cathedral before arriving at our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 – Friday
LYON / ARS / PARAY le MONIAL / NEVERS
This morning we depart for Ars, the village of the Holy Cure, St. John Vianney, the Patron Saint of Priests. Here we visit his home and the Basilica of St. John Vianney, where the saint’s body is stored in a glass reliquary. Following Mass in the basilica, we drive to Paray le Monial, known as the City of the Eucharist, to visit the Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Margaret Mary Alacoque. Here we will visit the Chapel of the Apparitions and enjoy an audio-visual presentation of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. We continue on to Nevers for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 – Saturday
NEVERS / LISIEUX
This morning we visit the Saint Gildard Convent & Museum, where Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes spent the final 13 years of her life. We celebrate Mass at St. Gildard in the Chapel of St. Bernadette, where we will see the incorrupt body of Saint Bernadette kept in a glass reliquary. In the afternoon we depart for Lisieux where upon our arrival we check into our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Lisieux.

Day 7 – Sunday
LISIEUX / PARIS
This morning we visit the town of Lisieux, the 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 Buissonnets, and the Carmelite Convent Chapel which contains the remains of Saint Therese. Next we visit the Basilica of Saint Therese and celebrate Mass in its Crypt, where Saint Therese’s parents are entombed. Late afternoon we arrive in Paris and check into our hotel. Following dinner, we enjoy this evening’s motor coach tour of the “City of Light”, where we will see many of Paris’ landmarks including the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees and Paris’ beautiful opera house; Palais Garnier. During our tour we will stop at the Trocadero terrace for a wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower and its light show. We return to our hotel for overnight in Paris.

Day 8 – Monday
PARIS
This morning we drive to Rue de Bac to visit the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal, where Saint Catherine Laboure received her apparitions of Mary. Here we see the incorrupt body of St. Catherine as well as the body of Saint Louise de Marillac, who founded the Daughters of Charity with Saint Vincent de Paul. Following Mass and time at the shrine’s gift shop, we enjoy a visit to Paris’ lovely Luxembourg Gardens. Next we arrive at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, which stands on an island in the middle of the River Seine. Here we will see the Gallery of the Kings, the Portal of the Last Judgment and its famous Rose Window. While here we enjoy free time for shopping and lunch next to the Cathedral. Our day of sightseeing concludes with a visit to the beautiful Sainte-Chapelle, a Gothic royal chapel with impressive stained glass windows. Dinner and overnight in Paris.

Day 9 – Tuesday
PARIS
This morning we visit and celebrate Mass at Saint Stephen’s Church, one of Paris’ “pilgrimage churches”, once visited by Pope John Paul II. The church houses the remains of Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris. Next we enjoy a cruise on the River Seine, followed by free time for pictures at the base of the Eiffel Tower. Next we enjoy some free time for shopping on the Champs-Elysees before arriving at the world famous Louvre Museum to see some of its fine collection of art, including the Mona Lisa. Following our time at the Louvre, we drive to the Montmartre District, the “Artists Quarter” of Paris and visit the Romanesque and Byzantine Sacre Coeur Basilica on top of Montmartre Hill. Following our visit to the basilica, we will have free time for exploring the shops on Montmartre Hill before this evening’s special farewell dinner at La Bonne Franquette restaurant. Overnight in Paris.

Day 10 – Wednesday
PARIS / USA
Early this morning we transfer to the airport for our connecting flight home. Though our pilgrimage has come to an end, the blessings of our encounters with the Lord, Our Lady and the saints are certain to strengthen and encourage us throughout our lifelong pilgrimage.