Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight(s). Meals served on board.

Upon arriving at Pau or Toulouse airport, make your way to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage. Proceed to the arrival hall, where you be greeted by your tour guide and/-or driver. Embark on the scenic drive to Lourdes. Check-in to your hotel, and then relax or explore before dinner. Following dinner, you will have free time to pray the Rosary and to attend the candlelight procession. (April-October only). These processions are lit by candlelight and guided by the Most Holy Rosary. Following this prayerful experience, you will return to your hotel.

During your time in Lourdes, you will pray and meditate in yet another site of Our Lady’s apparitions. Our Lady first appeared to Bernadette in 1858 and announced herself as “The Immaculate Conception” near the Grotto of Massabielle. During the first two apparitions, little Bernadette prayed the Rosary with Our Lady. She left without exchanging any words. During the following apparitions, Our Lady emphasized God’s love for us, penance, and the necessity of performing acts of penance for sinners. Throughout your time in Lourdes, you will have the opportunity to attend Mass at the Grotto, where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette. Here you have opportunities to watch a video presentation that explains in detail the story of Lourdes; and drink water from the miraculous spring that has healed many. You will have the opportunity to experience Christ’s unconditional love as you meditate upon the “life-size” Stations of the Cross that overlook the Grotto of Massabielle. You will walk in and meditate upon the footsteps of St. Bernadette. You will have the opportunity to see Boly Mill, the birthplace of St. Bernadette, and the “Cachot,” an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s impoverished family lived. Each evening following dinner, you will have an opportunity to attend the candlelight procession and the Rosary before a restful overnight. *Full immersion in the Baths is still prohibited. The Baths have now been replaced by the water gesture, a ceremony that takes visitors back to basics, followed by prayer and then venerating of the Status of the Virgin Mary.

Today, you will enjoy breakfast before departing for Pau or Lourdes airport for your short flight to Paris. Upon arrival in Paris, visit and attend Mass at the magnificent, Sacre Coeur Basilica that stands atop Montmartre Hill. The Basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was originally built in 1914, as an act of penance for the infidelity that France was experiencing during that time. While on your visit, in addition to the extraordinary artwork and architecture that forms the Basilica, you will see the beautiful mosaic of the Risen Christ, and the remarkable Grand Organ. Celebrate Mass at the Crypt that contains the Tombs of many notable Cardinals. Time permitting, you may have the opportunity during your free time to ascend a staircase to the Dome where you will take in a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Paris. Following this visit, you will enjoy lunch on your own and depart for Lisieux. According to Pope Pius X, St. Therese of Lisieux was the “greatest saint of mod ern times.” Her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity will come alive as you walk in the great Saint’s footsteps. During your visit, you will see the beautiful Basilica of St. Therese, and the magnificent mosaics and stained glass that are contained within. Dinner an overnight at your hotel in Lisieux.

This morning you will transfer to Normandy Landing beaches. The Normandy landings were the landing operations, which took place on Tuesday, June 6th, 1944 (termed D Day) by the Allies, of Normandy, during World War II. As the largest seaborne invasion in history, the operation began the liberation of German occupied northwestern Europe from Nazi control and contributed to the Allies’ victory on the Western Front. Continue to visit The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, a World War II cemetery and memorial in Colleville Sur Mer, Normandy, France, honoring the American troops that died in Europe during World War II. Many of the brave American soldiers of World War II got buried here. It is encouraged to say a prayer in thanksgiving for their courage. Next visit of Mont St. Michel, where the Monastery of Le Mont St. Michel, also known as “The Wonder of the Western World” is located. Its name given the monastery is surrounded by a magnificent bay, which has one of the greatest tidal ranges in Europe, resulting in a breathtaking view. In 709 Michael, the Archangel, requested that Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, built and consecrate this monastery. Since the ninth century, the Abbey has been home to a monastic community to ensure the continuation of a spiritual presence. For centuries, it has been a pilgrimage site for those seeking Eternal Life with God. You will return to Lisieux for dinner and overnight.

This morning, your day begins with an early breakfast, before we depart for Chartres, known worldwide for its massive Cathedral Notre Dame, and its incredible stained glass windows from the 12th and 13th century. The World Heritage site, UNESCO, calls the Cathedral “the high point of French Gothic art” and a “masterpiece”. You will have some free time for lunch in the quaint town of Chartres. After lunch, we will continue to Paris for check in at your hotel, followed by some free time before a delicious dinner and an overnight.

Today, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Paris. We start with Our Lady of Miraculous Medal, where we celebrate Mass, after which we will have to opportunity to view the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure. The Saint’s guardian angel led her to the chapel, where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her. During apparitions, Our Lady repeatedly instructed the making and purpose of the Miraculous Medal, as well as the green scapular. According to the Blessed Virgin Mary, those who wear the Miraculous Medal and scapular will receive spe cial protection and abundant graces. Following your prayerful and reflective experience, we will walk to Saint Vincent de Paul Church, than continue on tour of Paris. Our panoramic tour, will take us to the most recognizable symbol of the city of Paris, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, Invalides, the L’Arch de Triomphe and the Champ Elysees, one of the world’s most famous boulevards. We will make a stop at La Madeleine, with the statue of Mary Magdalene carried to heaven by angels. Your busy day ends with a lovely meal and a comfortable overnight.

After breakfast, depart for Nevers by way of the picturesque Loire Valley to view the incorrupt body of St. Bernadette. After taking the veil in 1867, St. Bernadette lived for 12 years as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Nevers. At least three times during her short lifetime, she received the last Sacraments. In addition to asthma, she was gradually struck by other illnesses, among which were tuberculosis of the lung and a tubercular tumor in her right knee. St. Bernadette eventually died at the age of 35. St. Bernadette’s incorrupt body at the Convent of St. Gildard, is miraculously preserved since her death in 1879. You will have some free time before enjoying a delicious meal and retiring for the evening in Nevers.

After breakfast, we continue our travelling on to Paray le Monial, the place where St. Margaret Mary Alacoque experienced vis ions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the 17th century. In revealing His Heart to her, Jesus said: “Behold the Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing but has been poured out totally and consumed as proof of its love”. After celebrating Mass in the Shrine of Paray le Monial, we will start a guided visit that features the Chapel of Apparitions, the place where St. Margaret Mary Alacoque experienced visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the 17th century, the room of the relics of St. Margaret Mary, the Dioram a of St Margaret and the Eucharist Museum. Other highlights include the Basilica of Sacre Coeur and the Chapel of St. Claude in honor of St. Margaret Mary’s Spiritual Director. After the visit, you will have free time for lunch on your own. Depart Paray Le Monial to continue on to Ars where we will visit the Shrine dedicated to Saint Jean Marie Vianney, the patron saint of the priesthood. In Ars, we will be able to visit the presbytery and the Basilica where we will find the incorrupt body of the Cure of Ars, and to enjoy a short documentary about his life. Continue to Lyon for a delicious meal and restful overnight.

After breakfast, we depart for La Salette located in a high alpine pasture in the French Alps. La Salette is the site where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1846 to two shepherds, Melanie Matthew and Maximin Gird. Our Lady appeared to these shepherds crying, lamenting over the lack of observance of Sundays and the profaning of her Son’s holy name. A spring forever marks the spot where the Virgin appeared and where millions of pilgrims come, in order to drink the fresh spring water and to pray. The stunning mountain scenery and lush mountain trails make La Salette one of the most spectacular pilgrimage sites in France, with a beautiful Basilica built to honor the Virgin Mary. In 1996, La Salette celebrate d the 150th anniversary of Our Lady’s first appearance. We return to Lyon for dinner and overnight.

This morning, you will begin with breakfast and continue with a transfer to the Lyon airport for your return flight(s) home.

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.