The Shrine Towns of France
Day 1
PARIS – ROUEN – LISIEUX – 217KM
On arrival at the airport you are met by our Tour Director and transferred to Lisieux.
On the way, we stop for a brief walking tour of Rouen with the typical half-timbered houses, the Cathedral of Rouen, a masterpiece of the gothic art, and “La Place du Vieux Marché” where Joan of Arc was burnt. Afterwards we proceed to Lisieux.
Day 2
LISIEUX – MONT-ST.-MICHEL – 174KM
After breakfast, we attend the Holy Mass and afterwards we visit the Sanctuary of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the Cathedral of St. Peter and its Chapel of the Virgin, the Basilica and the Covent of the Carmelite.
Then we head to Le Mont-St.-Michel.
The “Wonder of the Western World” forms a tower in the heart of an immense bay invaded by the highest tides in Europe.
It was at the request of the Archangel Michel “chief of the celestial militia” that Aubert, Bishop of Avranches built and consecrated a small church on the 16th October 709.
In 966, a community of Benedictines settled on the rock at the request of the Duke of Normandy and the pre-Romanesque church was built before the year one thousand.
It has been among the most important pilgrimage sites in Christendom.
Our local guide takes you on walking tour through this wonderful masterpiece.
Day 3
MONT-ST.-MICHEL – ANGERS – POITIERS – 330KM
After breakfast, we drive in direction of Angers.
On arrival in Angers we let you explore the magnificent Cathedral of St. Maurice and the beautiful stained glass windows.
Don’t miss the well-preserved Castle of Angers from the 13th century where you can see the Apocalypse tapestry made during the Hundred Years War.
On arrival in Poitiers we take you on an orientation tour and we visit Notre-Dame-la-Grande de Poitiers, one of the best well preserved Romanesque churches in France, the Cathedral of St. Peter and the Baptistery of St. John.
Day 4
POITIERS – ROCAMADOUR – LOURDES – 590KM
After breakfast, we travel to Rocamadour built into limestone cliffs, with its medieval houses clinging precariously overlooking the gorge of the River Alzou.
It’s famed for being the site where the body of St. Amadour was discovered near the town’s chapel in 1166, an event which led to a succession of miracles in the town.
Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the town ranks behind Rome, Jerusalem and Santiago de Compostela as a pilgrimage site.
After the visit on your own we head to Lourdes to take part of the Torchlight Marian Procession.
Day 5
LOURDES
It was the events that occurred on 11th February 1858 that drastically changed the future of Lourdes. On that day a young girl of 14 years, Bernardette Soubirous, a child of a poor family of four children whose father was a ruined miller, went with her sister and another girl to gather wood along the banks of the River Gave.
Above an open cave, Bernadette saw a “Beautiful lady“ who appeared to her 18 times between the 11th of February and the 16th of July and said to her: “Do penance and pray for sinners“.
Today is at leisure to explore the Sanctuary and visit the Basilica, the springs, Grotto of the Apparitions, House of Bernadette…
Don’t miss the two famous Processions which take place daily: the Blessed Sacrament Procession each afternoon and the Torchlight Marian Procession each evening.
Day 6
LOURDES – TOULOUSE – CARCASSONNE – AVIGNON – 497KM
After breakfast, we leave to Toulouse, the “Ville Rose” of South Western France.
Situated on the river Garonne and Canal du Midi long been famed for its redbrick architecture and distinctly southern way of life.
We will visit St. Sernin’s Basilica and St Etienne’s Cathedral. Afterwards we continue to Carcassonne to visit this well preserved medieval fortified town and St. Nazaire’s Basilica.
Then we continue in direction of Avignon, famous for the Pope’s Palace and Le Pont d’Avignon.
Day 7
AVIGNON – LE PUY-EN-VELAY – LYON – 360KM
After breakfast, our local guide takes you on a guided tour of the Pope’s Palace and after the visit, we will do an orientation drive as long as we leave the city.
Then we continue to Le Puy-en-Velay. A shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary had been built in Le Puy-en-Velay since the very early Middle Ages.
Since the 10th century, at the start of the route of St. James of Compostela, the stop at the venerable and mysterious statue of the Black Virgin has therefore become a special moment of gratitude to Christ the Saviour whom Mary had welcomed as Son of God.
Time on your own to explore the cathedral and stroll around this unique site. Afterwards we continue to our final destination of the day, Lyon.
Day 8
LYON – ARS – PARAY-LE-MONIAL – NEVERS – 257KM
After breakfast, our local guide takes you on a guided tour of the old Lyon where you will visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière.
Afterwards we head to Ars, to pay tribute to St. John Vianney, who was beatified on the 8th of January 1905 and, later that year, was declared “patron of the priests of France”.
He was canonized in 1925 by Pius XI, and in 1929 proclaimed “patron saint of all the parish priests in the world”.
Pope John-Paul II went on a visit to Ars in 1986. Afterwards we continue to Paray-le-Monial to pay tribute to St. Hugues de Semur (12th) and to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (17th) who experienced numerous apparitions.
After strolling through the town center of Paray-le-Monial we continue our journey to Nevers.
Day 9
NEVERS – CHARTRES – PARIS – 334KM
After breakfast, our local guide takes you on a guided tour of the old Lyon where you will visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière.
Afterwards we head to Ars, to pay tribute to St. John Vianney, who was beatified on the 8th of January 1905 and, later that year, was declared “patron of the priests of France”.
He was canonized in 1925 by Pius XI, and in 1929 proclaimed “patron saint of all the parish priests in the world”.
Day 10
PARIS
After breakfast, our local guide takes you on a city sightseeing tour through the beautiful city of Paris where you will see the most important places of Paris like, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Latin Quarter, St. Sulpice Church…
We will end at Montmartre to visit the Sacré Coeur Basilica. In the afternoon we take you to attend a mass in the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal. The remaining afternoon is at leisure.
Day 11
PARIS
After breakfast, you have a last opportunity to say “Au revoir” to Paris and to France as long as you are transferred to the airport.