France Pilgrimage – Best Shrines of France

Pilgrimage to France and Lourdes, Paris, & Mont St. Michel

France Pilgrimage – Best Shrines of France Tour explores some of the country’s most significant shrines, churches, basilicas, and religious monuments. Beginning in Lourdes, the renowned shrine famed for physical and spiritual healing, this pilgrimage allows ample time for prayer at the Grotto, where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette under the designation of “the Immaculate Conception” in 1858, as well as for bathing in the Miraculous Water if available. We will also visit the Boly Mill and the Cachot, the prison where Bernadette’s family once resided, and we may take part in the nightly Candlelight Processions. In Toulouse, we will tour the Eglise des Jacobins, where St. Thomas Aquinas is buried, before proceeding to the clifftop shrine of Rocamadour, home to an early Christian hermit named Zaccheus, the tax collector of Jericho. He came to the region known as Gaul with St. Veronica and St. Mary Magdalen to spread the good news. Here, we will attend Mass and visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Rocamadour, which houses a miraculous Virgin Mary statue and St. Zaccheus’s tomb. In Paray-le-Monial, we will explore the Chapel of the Visitation, where Jesus revealed His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. In Nevers, we will visit the convent where St. Bernadette lived until she died in 1879 and see her incorrupt body, which is miraculously preserved.

As you pilgrimage to France, you will visit le Mont St. Michel, built on the site where St. Michael the Archangel appeared three times. Originally founded as a sanctuary and consecrated in 709, it is now classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and it is said to be the most photographed monument in all of France. It is in Lisieux that the Very Best Shrines of France Pilgrimage Tour will visit the Shrine dedicated to St. Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. Often referred to as “the Little Flower,” St. Therese showed us how to become a saint by “doing small things with great love.” We will visit the Basilica dedicated to the Saint Pope Pius X called “the greatest saint of modern times.” We will visit “the Carmel,” the Convent where she lived, “Les Buissonets,” her family home, and the Ancient Cathedral of St. Peter. In Paris, we will celebrate Mass at the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal, where the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure and the incorrupt heart of St. Vincent de Paul are located. We will also visit the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul nearby, which houses a magnificent reliquary with his remains. Her guardian angel led her to the chapel where the Blessed Virgin revealed the miraculous medal and the green scapular. The France Pilgrimage Tour would not be complete without a panoramic sightseeing tour of the City of Lights to see the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, L’Arc de Triomphe, and Champs Elysees.

Itinerary for France Pilgrimage – Best Shrines of France

See the following on the Best Shrines of France Pilgrimage – St. Bernadette · St. Thomas Aquinas · St. Therese the Little Flower · Our Lady of Rocamadour – St. Margaret Mary Alacoque · St. Catherine Laboure – St. Vincent de Paul – Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel

Day 1 – Depart Home

Begin your pilgrimage to France by departing home for your overnight flight to Europe. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.

Day 2 – Arrive Lourdes

Upon your arrival in Europe, you will connect to your flight to Toulouse, Pau, or Lourdes airport. After landing, you will collect your luggage and exit the baggage claim into the arrivals hall, where a tour guide and/or driver will greet you. You will be escorted to the vehicle, which will take you on a scenic drive to Lourdes. Once you arrive, you will check in to your hotel and have time to relax or explore before dinner. After dinner, you may choose to take part in the candlelight procession before settling in for the night.

Day 3 & 4 – Lourdes

During the next two days in Lourdes, you will have time to pray with fellow pilgrims from around the world. Throughout your pilgrimage tour, you will have the chance to attend Mass at the Grotto, watch a video presentation that tells the story of Lourdes, and walk in the footsteps of St. Bernadette. Visit Boly Mill, where St. Bernadette was born, and the “Cachot,” an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s impoverished family lived. Unite your prayers with those of pilgrims from across the globe as you pray for the sick, drink from the miraculous spring, or immerse yourself in the healing baths if available. Experience Christ’s love as you journey along 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.” Evenings are free for an optional Blessed Sacrament Procession before dinner. Your role in the universal Church will take on new meaning as you participate in the candlelight procession and group rosary.

The Shrine of Lourdes has a daily schedule of activities, and you are welcome to participate. The schedule can be found at the Lourdes Sanctuary here.

Day 5 – Lourdes – Toulouse Basilica of St. Sernin – Eglise & Couvent des Jacobins – Shrine of Our Lady of Rocamadour

After an early breakfast, we head to Toulouse. Once an important Roman colony, Toulouse is filled with religious and historical treasures. The Basilica of St. Sernin is one of the finest Romanesque churches in France. St. Thomas Aquinas is buried in the Eglise des Jacobins in Toulouse. The city is also proud to host 20 historical pipe organs, more than any other city in France. After our tour, we will continue on to Rocamadour, situated atop a rocky plateau overlooking the Alzou Valley. Rocamadour was home to an early Christian hermit named Zaccheus of Jericho. He died in 70 A.D. and conversed with Jesus himself. Zaccheus was the husband of St. Veronica, who wiped the face of Jesus as he climbed to Calvary. Once we arrive, we will visit one of its most significant sites: the Shrine of Our Lady of Rocamadour, a complex of religious structures centered around a miraculous Virgin Mary statue and an ancient saint’s tomb. We will enjoy a lovely dinner before returning to our hotel.

Day 6 – Paray Le Monial – Chapel of the Visitation

After an early breakfast, we will start our journey to Paray-le-Monial, where we will visit the Chapel of the Visitation. Here, Jesus revealed His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque during several apparitions. We will also see the Reliquary of St. Margaret, which contains her relics and is located beneath a wax figure of the saint. You will then have the rest of the day to enjoy at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay are included.

Day 7 – Nevers – St. Bernadette’s incorrupt body

After an early breakfast, we will depart for Nevers via the picturesque Loire Valley. 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 brief lifetime, she received the last Sacraments. In addition to asthma, she gradually faced other illnesses, including pulmonary tuberculosis and a tubercular tumor in her right knee. St. Bernadette eventually passed away at the age of 35. Visit St. Bernadette’s incorrupt body at the convent of St. Gildard, miraculously preserved since she died in 1879. Dinner and overnight stay in Nevers.

Day 8 – Le Mont Saint Michel Abbey

After an early breakfast, we will travel to Mont St. Michel. Upon arrival, we will spend the day touring Le Mont Saint Michel and exploring the various stages of its construction, which earned it its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Here, Aubert, Bishop of d’Avranches, established a sanctuary on Mont-Tombe following three successive appearances by the Archangel Michael. Consecrated in 709, the church has attracted the curious and pilgrims worldwide ever since.

After serving as a prison from the French Revolution until the Second Empire, the Abbey became the responsibility of the Historical Monuments Department in 1874. Since 1969, the Abbey has hosted a monastic community, ensuring the continuation of its spiritual presence. Since 2001, the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem have upheld the spiritual life of the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel. This mixed and urban fraternity has 10 members residing within the Abbey, comprising five brothers and seven sisters. Rightly called “The Wonder of the Western World,” a stunning bay surrounds Mont Saint-Michel, showcasing Europe’s most incredible tidal ranges and offering fantastic views. Dinner and overnight near Mont Saint-Michel.

Day 9 – Basilica of Therese of Lisieux – Les Buissonets – Cathedral of Saint Peter – Carmelite Convent

After an early breakfast, we make our way to Lisieux, where we will enjoy a tour of 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 comes alive as you visit the Basilica of Saint Therese, one of the largest and most magnificent religious structures built in the 20th century. While in Lisieux, we will celebrate Mass. We will stop at Les Buissonets, St. Therese’s family home, where relics, clothing, and personal objects belonging to the “little flower” are displayed. Before leaving, we will tour the ancient Cathedral of St. Peter and the Carmelite Convent. Lastly, we will continue to Paris in time for check-in, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Day 10 – Paris – Miraculous Medal and St. Catherine – St. Vincent de Paul – Sainte-Chapelle – Notre Dame Cathedral – Basilica of the Sacred Heart

After an early breakfast, we will depart for our tour of Paris. We will start with holy Mass at the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal. Observe the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure, whose guardian angel led her to the chapel where the Blessed Virgin revealed a vision of the miraculous medal and, later, the green scapular. The Virgin promised abundant graces for everyone who wore these. You can receive a plenary indulgence. Nearby is the chapel of St. Vincent de Paul, where we can pray before his relics, encased in a glass coffin above the altar. Enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour that will showcase landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the Eiffel Tower, L’Arc de Triomphe, and the Champs Elysees. Relish other attractions on this mostly panoramic tour.

Day 11 – Paris – Free Day

This morning, we will start with Mass, followed by a free day to explore Paris’s neighborhoods, sights, and cafes and do some much-needed shopping.

We will enjoy a lovely dinner before returning to our hotel for a restful overnight.

Day 12 – Paris – Home

After an early breakfast in the hotel, we transfer to Charles de Gaulle Paris Airport for our return flight home.