A 12-day Catholic Pilgrimage Tour to France

September 16, 2024 – Monday
NEW YORK / FRANCE
Today we depart New York’s JFK International Airport on our overnight flight to France, arriving in Paris the following morning. Meals are served on board our transatlantic flight.

September 17, 2024 – Tuesday
PARIS /LOURDES
Upon our arrival in Paris, weboard our plane for the short flight to Lourdes, where we will meet our Pilgrimage Tours’ tour director, who will remain with us until the end of our tour. We depart the airport and drive to Lourdes, where in 1858, Mary appeared to a young Bernadette Soubirous. Here we will walk to the Grotto for an introduction to the Shrine, followed by a visit to the Rosary Basilica (Lower Basilica) and a visit and celebration of Mass in the Crypt of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Upper Basilica). Following Mass, we arrive at our hotel for check-in. Following dinner, we participate in this evening’s Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Lourdes.

September 18, 2024 – Wednesday
LOURDES
Following Mass this morning in the Grotto, where Mary appeared to Bernadette numerous times, we enjoy a walking tour of Lourdes where we will visit the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Upper Basilica), the Rosary Basilica (Lower Basilica) as well as the nearby Healing Baths where many pilgrims submerge themselves for its healing properties. We also visit the Basilica of Pius X as well as Bernadette’s home and the Museum of Lourdes. Our afternoon is free for personal exploration of the Sanctuary of Lourdes, allowing for time for those who wish to visit the Healing Baths. Following dinner this evening, we have another opportunity to join the Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Lourdes.

September 19, 2024 – Thursday
LOURDES / TOULOUSE / CARCASSONNE
This morning we enjoy our day driving through the French countryside en route to Toulouse, where upon our arrival we will visit the Romanesque Basilica of St. Sernin as well as the Church of Les Jacobins where we will visit the tomb of Saint Thomas Aquinas, a Doctor of the Church. Following Mass and free time for lunch, we drive to the ancient city of Carcassonne, one of the best-preserved walled cities in the world. Here we will enjoy a walking tour of the historic center followed by free time prior to arriving at our hotel for dinner and overnight in Carcassonne.

September 20, 2024 – Friday
CARCASSONNE / AVIGNON / LYON
Today we depart Carcassonne and arrive in Avignonfor a celebration of Mass in the Avignon Cathedral. Following Mass, we enjoy free time for lunch prior to visiting the grand Palace of the Popes, where in the 14th century, it served as home to the Papacy during Rome’s tumultuous political conditions of the time. We continue on toLyon for a motor coach tour of the city before arriving at our hotel for dinner and overnight in Lyon.

September 21, 2024 – Saturday
LYON / ARS / PARAY le MONIAL / NEVERS
This morning we will visit the beautiful Cathedral of Lyon, before departing on our drive to Ars, 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 on to Paray le Monial, known as the “City of the Eucharist”. Here we will celebrate Mass insidethe Chapel of the Visitation, where Jesus appeared to a young Margaret Mary Alacoque and revealed devotions to His Sacred Heart.We continue on to Nevers for a visit to the Convent of SaintGildard, where Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes spent the final 13 years of her life. While here we will explore the convent’s grounds and visit the Chapel of Saint Bernadette where we will see the incorrupt body of Saint Bernadette kept in a glass reliquary. Dinner and overnight in Nevers.

September 22, 2024 – Sunday
NEVERS / CHARTRES / LISIEUX
Following Mass this morning in the Chapel of Saint Bernadette, we drive to 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. Following free time for lunch in Chartres, we continue on to Lisieux, the home to Saint 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. Dinner and overnight in Lisieux.

September 23, 2024 – Monday
LISIEUX / MONT ST. MICHEL
Today we enjoy a visit 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 and celebration of Mass in the Church of St. Pierre de Mont Saint-Michel, we return to Lisieux for dinner and overnight.

September 24, 2024 – Tuesday
LISIEUX / NORMANDY / PARIS
This morning we will visit the beautiful Basilica of Saint Therese, where we will celebrate Mass in its Crypt, housing the tombs of St. Therese’s parents. Following Mass, 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 turn back towards Paris, where upon our arrival we check into our hotel. Following dinner, we enjoy a 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 Palais Garnier; Paris’ beautiful opera house. During our tour we visit the Trocadero terrace and enjoy a wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower and its light show. Overnight in Paris.

September 25, 2024 – Wednesday
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. In April 2019 the Cathedral was largely devastated by fire and its complete restoration is in progress. Following free time for lunch and shopping next to the cathedral, we will arrive on the Champs Elysees to enjoy free time for personal exploration.Later in the afternoon, we arrive at the Pantheon building for a short walk to the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens, followed by a visit to the world-famous Louvre Museum to see some of its fine collection of art, including the Mona Lisa. Dinner and overnight in Paris.

September 26, 2024 – Thursday
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.

September 27, 2024 – Friday
PARIS / NEW YORK
Following breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our direct 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.