This wonderful vacation through Lourdes and the shrines of France starts in Paris with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant and guided sightseeing featuring all the major sights. In Paris, also visit the Basilica of Sacre Coeur on Montmartre; Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Shrine, where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Catherine Laboure in 1830; St. Vincent de Paul Shrine; and Notre Dame Cathedral, where the relics of the Passion of the Christ can be seen on the first Fridays of the month. Explore the life of St. Therese—known as “The Little Flower”—during an excursion to Lisieux, where you will visit Les Buissonnets, family home of St. Therese; St. Peter’s Cathedral, where her family attended Mass; and the Carmelite Convent, where she lived as a nun. Back in Paris, board the high-speed TGV train to Lourdes, one of the world’s most famous places of pilgrimage. Visit the grotto where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858; Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine; and St. Bernadette’s birthplace and family home. You may wish to bathe in the healing waters, attend the “Blessing of the Sick,” or join the evening’s rosary and candlelight procession. A full day at leisure allows you to join an optional excursion to the nearby Pyrenees. Admire medieval Carcassonne on your way to Avignon, where a walking tour features the Palace of the Popes, residence of the papacy in the 14th century. Stop in Paray-le-Monial to visit the Chapel of the Apparitions and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and arrive in Nevers. Here, visit St. Gildard, where St. Bernadette spent her life as a nun. In Chartres, visit the magnificent cathedral, one of Europe’s most celebrated shrines. Return to Paris for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant—a marvelous way to end this vacation through the shrines of France.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Paris, France. Welcome to Paris! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director, then enjoy this evening’s welcome dinner at a local restaurant with your traveling companions. (D)
Day #2 Paris. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Champs-Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower. Visit the BASILICA OF SACRE COEUR on Montmartre Hill. Later, the architectural wonders of NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL, where the relics of the Passion of the Christ can be seen on the first Fridays of the month. (B)
Day #3 Paris. A special visit has been included to OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL SHRINE, where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Catherine Laboure in 1830. Then, visit the ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SHRINE, where you can see the reliquary of the saint who has inspired thousands of charities and volunteers. (B)
Day #4 Paris. Lisieux Excursion. Travel to Lisieux and visit LES BUISSONNETS, family home of St. Therese. Afterwards, visit the BASILICA. St. Therese was known as “The Little Flower” and for her charming autobiography The Story of a Soul. Next, visit ST. PETER’S CATHEDRAL, where her family attended Mass, and the CARMELITE CONVENT, where she lived as a nun. Return to Paris. (B)
Day #5 Paris–Lourdes. Journey aboard the high-speed TGV TRAIN to Lourdes, one of the world’s most famous places of pilgrimage. Visit the GROTTO where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858. Join this evening’s memorable rosary and candlelight procession, held every night. (B,D)
Day #6 Lourdes. Your walking tour with a Local Guide includes visits to OUR LADY OF LOURDES SHRINE and ST. BERNADETTE’S BIRTHPLACE and FAMILY HOME. You may wish to experience the powerful healing baths, attend the “Blessing of the Sick” or maybe Mass at the Crux Gloriosa Chapel. (B)
Day #7 At Leisure In Lourdes. Full day at leisure to further explore Lourdes on your own or join an optional excursion to the nearby Pyrenees. You can attend the International Mass held in St. Pius X Basilica (B)
Day #8 Lourdes–Carcassonne–Avignon. First stop is Carcassonne, a medieval town and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, continue to Avignon. Enjoy a walk to the Palace of the Popes, residence of the papacy in the 14th century. (B,D)
Day #9 Avignon–Paray-Le-Monial–Nevers. Arrive in Paray-le-Monial, home to the CHAPEL OF THE APPARITIONS and where Jesus revealed his Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Also visit the BASILICA OF THE SACRED HEART. Continue to Nevers. (B,D)
Day #10 Nevers–Chartres–Paris. Visit ST. GILDARD in Nevers, where St. Bernadette spent her life as a nun. See the beautiful and miraculously incorrupt body of St. Bernadette. Continue to Chartres and visit the CATHEDRAL, one of Europe’s most celebrated shrines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Paris and enjoy this evening’s farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
Day #11 Paris. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
