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.

Over the next two days, you will stay in a small town nestled within the Pyrenees Mountains. During your time in Lourdes, you will pray and meditate in a 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. The Grotto is where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette; watch a video presentation that explains in detail the story of Lourdes; drink water from the miraculous spring that has healed many or submerge yourself in the healing baths. 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. Your group 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.

This morning, you will awaken feeling well-rested! Following breakfast, transfer to Toulouse. This southern French city was once a Roman colony and is home to numerous religious and historical treasures. While here, you will have the opportunity to view many of these rare artefacts, such as twenty historical pipe organs and the burial place of St. Thomas Aquinas at the St. Sernin Basilica. One of the finest Romanesque churches in France, its exterior is constructed of red brick, with white stone as a decorative accent. Following your visit to this magnificent church, continue north to Rocamadour, a town situated atop a rocky mountain. Upon arrival in Rocamadour, you will enjoy a delicious meal and a restful overnight.

This morning you will awaken in the town overlooking the Alzou Valley and was the home to early Christian hermit, Zaccheus of Jericho. Zaccheus conversed with Jesus himself and was the husband of St. Veronica, the woman who wiped the face of Jesus as He climbed to Calvary. During your time at this sacred destination, you will visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Rocamadour, a place of miraculous conversion. Consisting of numerous religious structures and chapels centered on a statue of the Virgin Mary and the tomb of Zaccheus. After you visit this place of miraculous healing, your journey will continue to Paray Le Monial for dinner and overnight.

You will begin your day with breakfast. Following Mass with some free time for prayer and reflection, we visit the Chapel of the Visitation. Here is where Jesus exposed His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the seventeenth century. The apparitions allowed St. Margaret to rest herself upon Jesus’ Sacred Heart, which allowed her to experience the unconditional love for humanity. During your visit to this Holy place, you will have the opportunity to view relics of the beloved Saint, located beneath a wax figure of her image. After free time for lunch in Paray Le Monial, we will drive to Nevers via the picturesque Loire Valley. Nevers is the site where St. Bernadette lived for twelve years as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Nevers. The Saint suffered from several illnesses such as asthma, tuberculosis of the lungs, and a tubercular tumour in her right knee. For this, St. Bernadette received “The Last Sacraments” three times and eventually passed away in 1879, at the age of thirty-five. End the day with a visit to the Convent of Saint Gildard. Enjoy a delicious meal before retiring for the evening.

Upon waking up in Nevers, enjoy breakfast and Mass. Following Mass, you will depart for Chartres. Upon arrival, you will have free time for lunch in the quaint town. This afternoon visit the massive Cathedral Notre Dame, known worldwide for the incredible stained-glass windows created in the twelfth and thirteenth century. A World Heritage site called the Cathedral “the high point of French Gothic art” and a “masterpiece” by UNESCO. Continue to Lisieux for dinner and overnight.

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 north-western 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, honouring 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.

After breakfast, you will explore the life of St. Therese. According to Pope Pius X, St. Therese of Lisieux was the “greatest saint of modern times” Her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity will come alive as you walk in the great Saint’s footsteps. Visit the beautiful Basilica of St. Therese and the magnificent mosaics and stained glass contained within. Following your visit to the Basilica, you will have the opportunity to view relics, clothing, and personal objects of St. Therese, when you visit her family home, Les Buissonets. Also, tour the parish of St. Therese, the Cathedral of St. Peter, and the Carmelite Convent, where she entered in 1888, currently entombed with her parents. Your tour of the “Little Flower’s” life culminates as you board the bus to transfer to the “City of Lights” – Paris. Upon arrival, enjoy dinner and overnight.

Today, you will enjoy a full sightseeing tour of Paris. After breakfast, you will visit and celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, where you will 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 protection and abundant graces. Following your prayerful and reflective experience at this elegant chapel, you will begin your sightseeing tour of Paris. After Mass, we will walk to Saint Vincent de Paul Church. Our panoramic sightseeing tour, via motor-coach, for you to view the most recognizable symbol of the city of Paris, the Eiffel Tower. Historically, the Tower’s original intent was to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution. During World War One, assisted in advancements in meteorology and telegraphy, radio, and television. Pass by Invalides, the Arc de Triomphe, a monument that symbolizes gratitude for those who fought for France. This monument stands at the West end of the Champ-Elysees, one of the world’s most famous boulevards and another one of our stops on the sightseeing tour. We will make a stop at La Madeleine, with the statue of Mary Magdalene carried to heaven by angels. Due to the tragic fire at Notre Dame Cathedral on April 15th, 2019 pilgrims are not allowed to enter the Cathedral. Pilgrims will still have the opportunity to view the Cathedral from outside, and we expect the sacred relics to be on display in a nearby church or museum. Continue and pass by the Opera and the ever famous Louvre Museum.* The Louvre Museum is one of the finest in the world. It contains many pieces that truly emanate not only French art as well as European culture. Your fun-filled, busy day ends with a lovely meal and a very comfortable overnight.

*Regretfully, we will not visit the Louvre due to time limitations. However, if you wish to extend your stay in Paris, this museum is worth it.

After an early breakfast and whole-hearted farewells, you will transfer to the Paris airport for your return flight(s)