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Tour of the Shrine Town in France

Pilgrimages, religious practices, historical and cultural odysseys, or simply the desire to see a region, are among the many reasons that draw people to places of catholic heritage, making them the most visited cultural…

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Tour of the Shrine Town in France
Duration10 days / 9 nights
TypeCircuit
DestinationsFrance
ThemesCultural, Family

Overview

Pilgrimages, religious practices, historical and cultural odysseys, or simply the desire to see a region, are among the many reasons that draw people to places of catholic heritage, making them the most visited cultural sites. Experience the wonder and the mystery of a trip through the

rich spiritual heritage of France, home to kings and knights, popes and priests, and its fair share of saints. Chartres, Nevers, Lourdes, Lisieux, Rocamadour, Le Puy en Velay, Ars, La Salette and in Paris, Montmartre, Notre Dame, la Chapelle Miraculeuse : whether it is a Virgin Mary site, a sacred pilgrimage site, or a city of art and history, they are all destinations that offer extraordinary heritage to discover and rediscover.

Itinerary

1Arrival in Paris

Upon arrival at Paris international airport, meet greet and transfer for a brief orientation tour of Paris

In the afternoon transfer to Montmartre for a visit of the Sacre Coeur Basilica and a private Mass in the crypt.

Afterward have time to enjoy a walking tour through the Montmartre's narrow streets and a welcome dinner on the Place du Tertre

2Paris

Early in the morning, departure by coach to the Chapel of our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Morning mass in the Chapel followed by a guided sightseeing tour of Paris including Eiffel Tower,Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Louvre and a visit of Notre Dame Cathedral with its gleaming stained glass windows

3Lisieux, Chartres

Departure by coach to Lisieux in the heart of Normandy were you arrive in time to attend a mass in the Basilica St. Therese

Then visit the gothic Cathedral St. Peter, symbol of the prestigious past of the town and continue to Chartres for inner and overnight

4Chartres, Nevers

Morning visit of the classic Gothic style Cathedral of Chartres housing the “Virgin’s Veil” which according to the tradition would have been worn by Mary at the time of the birth of Christ

Celebrate a mass and then enjoy a short sightseeing through the winding streets and lanes lined with old gabled houses of the medieval town

In the afternoon continue to Nevers where you are welcomed with a presentation of the life of St. Bernadette Soubirous followed by a guided tour "In the steps of Bernadette" visiting the St. Gildard convent in which Bernadette spent her last days

5Paray le Monial, Ars

In the morning, drive to Paray le Monial where you start your visit with the celebration of mass in the Chapel of the Apparitions

Then have time to discover the several places of prayer and welcome of the town: the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the Chapel of Claude la Colombière and the Chapel Saint Jean

Afternoon continue to Ars where St Jean-Marie Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests, spent a great part of his holy life giving powerful sermons and spending up to 20 hours a day in the confessional, sleeping only two hours a night

6Ars, Le Puy en Velay

Morning mass in Ars and departure for Le Puy-en-Velay, a city of art, an artistic and cultural centre since the 10th century, at the start of the route of Saint James of Compostella.

Time to visit the main sites of the city: the Cathedral of Notre Dame du Puy and its cloister, the Rock and the Chapel of Saint Michel d'Aiguilhe, the Corneille Rock and the statue of Notre Dame de France

7Le Puy en Velay, Rocamadour

In the morning drive to Rocamadour, a village which welcomes each year over one million visitors and pilgrims

Afternoon visit of the main sites: l’Hospitalet, la Voie Sainte, le Grand Escalier, le Parvis des Sanctuaires, la Chapelle Notre Dame, le Chemin de Croix

8Rocamadour, Lourdes

Today, departure for Toulouse, capital of the Midi-Pyrenees region with an exceptional cultural heritage

Guided sightseeing tour and mass in the one of the numerous church of the city

Continue for Lourdes in the afternoon and participation in the evening to the Candlelight Procession

9Lourdes

This morning guided walking tour of Lourdes and visit of the places associated with the life of St. Bernadette

Late afternoon take part in the Blessed Sacrament Procession and Blessing of the sick at the Sanctuaries

10Lourdes – Departure

Transfer to Pau airport for your departure to Paris, then home

Included

  • Round trip ticket to Paris ( economy class)
  • One way ticket Pau – Paris ( economy class)
  • Round trip transfer: airport - hotel - airport
  • 9-night accommodation at hotel
  • Meal: daily breakfast & 9 dinners
  • English speaking local guides
  • All transfers in air conditioned coach
  • Full day city tour of Paris
  • Full day city tour of Lisieux
  • Full day city tour of Chartres
  • Full day city tour of Nevers
  • Full day city tour of Ars
  • Full day city tour of Le Puy en Velay
  • Full day city tour of Rocamadour
  • Full day city tour of Lourdes
  • Assistance of our representative in France

Not included

  • Airport taxes
  • Fuel surcharge
  • Optional Tours
  • Travel insurance
  • All other expenses