tour 4
The Great Shrines of France
10  days

LOURDES, LYON, NEVERS, PARAY LE MONIAL, ARS, LA SALETTE, LISIEUX & PARIS

Day 1  Boston or New York - Paris
Evening departure from Boston’s Logan Int. Airport or New York's JFK airport (or from your hometown) for the overnight flight to Paris. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.

Day 2  Paris - Lourdes
Upon your arrival in Paris this morning, we connect to the one-hour flight to Lourdes. Arrive in Lourdes about noon and transfer to your hotel. At the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains in southwestern France, nestled between the spectacular mountain river, Gave de Pau, is Lourdes. One of the most important pilgrimage sites for over 140 years, Lourdes is the birthplace of St Bernadette to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858 near the Grotto of Massabielle. Relax or explore before dinner followed by a candlelight procession before retiring.

Days 3 & 4  Lourdes
During your stay in Lourdes you will have a chance to celebrate daily Mass at the Grotto, enjoy a video presentation telling the story of Lourdes, and walk in the footsteps of St Bernadette. See Boly Mill where St Bernadette was born and the 'Cachot,' an abandoned prison where Bernadette's impoverished family lived. Join your prayers with those of pilgrims from around the world as you pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous spring the Virgin directed Bernadette to locate at the base of the grotto, and submerge yourself in the healing baths. Experience Christ's love as you walk the life-sized Stations of the Cross overlooking the holy Grotto. Kneel in the chapel built on the very rock of the Grotto, in obedience to the request of the 'Immaculate Conception.' Our tour of Lourdes includes visits to the sanctuary and to the Basilica of St Pius X, the world's largest underground church. Attend the blessing of the sick, and participate in nightly candlelight processions requested by Our Lady.

Day 5  Lourdes - Lyon - Nevers - Paray Le Monial
After breakfast, transfer to Pau Airport for the morning flight to Lyon. Depart by motor coach for Nevers to visit St Gildard's Convent to pray before the uncorrupted body of St Bernadette. At the conclusion of the eighteen apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, St Bernadette lived for 12 years as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers, having taken the veil in 1867. Throughout her life she suffered from and eventually died of asthma at the age of 35. You will see St Bernadette's incorrupt body miraculously preserved since her death in 1879. Mass at the Chapel. Dinner and overnight in Paray Le Monial.

Day 6  Paray Le Monial - Ars - La Salette
Breakfast, Mass, and a tour of Paray Le Monial, where we will visit the birthplace of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Between 1673 and 1675 Our Blessed Lord appeared many times to St Margaret Mary Alacoque at the Visitation Convent. He revealed His divine Heart aflame with love for humanity and established a feast day set aside to honor his Sacred Heart. In the early afternoon we arrive in the pretty little town of 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 17 hours a day in the confessional, sleeping only two hours a night. People continuously flowed into Ars from every part of France seeking his spiritual guidance and healing. The charity and love for people of this simple curate of Ars became famous all over the Christian world. He died in 1895 and his incorrupt body lies in repose, along with many relics from this saint who was canonized in 1925. Next we go to La Salette for dinner and overnight.

Day 7  La Salette - Lyon - Paris
Breakfast, Mass and a tour of 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 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 to 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 celebrated the 150th anniversary of Our Lady's first appearance. Return to Lyon in the afternoon for the TGV (high speed) train to Paris. Transfer to hotel, dinner, and overnight.

Day 8  Paris - Lisieux - Paris
After breakfast we travel northwest to the town of Lisieux, the home of St Therese whom Pope Pius X called "the greatest saint of modern times.' Her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity come alive as you visit the Basilica Cathedral of St Peter, and Les Buissonets, her family home. On display are relics, clothing, and personal objects belonging to the "little flower." View the statue depicting the Virgin Mary who smiled at St Therese during an ecstacy before curing her illness. Combine your prayers in the Carmel Chapel with those of the Carmelite sisters, just as St Therese did before her death in 1897. Return to Paris for dinner and overnight.

Day 9  Paris
After breakfast we take a guided tour of this beautiful city, visiting the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the Church of the Sacre Coeur, and the Church of St Vincent De Paul. Afternoon free for individual visits and shopping. This evening we can take an optional dinner cruise on the River Seine (additional cost).

Day 10  Paris - USA
Breakfast, then travel to the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal to celebrate Mass. View the incorrupt body of St Catherine Labouret whose guardian angel led her to the chapel where the Blessed Virgin displayed a vision of the miraculous medal and later the green scapular. The Virgin promised bountiful graces for all who wore these. Transfer to the airport after your memorable pilgrimage throughout France for the flight to the United States.


YOUR TRIP INCLUDES:
Round-trip flights: Boston or New York / Paris / Lourdes / Pau / Lyon
TGV train tickets, Lyon / Paris
8 nights at 3-star hotels:
3 nights: Lourdes
1 night: Paray Le Monial
1 night: La Salette
3 nights: Paris
Breakfast and dinner daily
Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
Guided tours in Lourdes, Nevers, Ars, Lisieux, and Paris
Luggage handling in hotels and airports
Flight bag and portfolio of travel documents